<div>Background: Among the constraints for low yield of mungbean, drought stress and heat stress are prominent. Water deficits and high temperature occur together in many environments and both stresses can interact to reduce yields. Thus, combination of water use efficiency and high temperature tolerance traits are relevant rather than a single trait used as selection criteria for screening appropriate plant ideotype. The present study is contemplated to identify superior parents for yield, yield attributes, water use efficiency and thermo tolerance related traits through combining ability analysis. 
 
Methods: Twenty one F1 crosses were generated by crossing seven diverse mungbean genotypes viz., ML 267, LGG 528, MGG 390, WGG 42, AKM 9904, LM 95 and EC 362096 in a 7 x&nbsp;7 diallel fashion without reciprocals. Further, 21 F1 crosses along with seven parents were evaluated to study the the mean performance of the seven parents and their 21 F1 crosses and combining ability of the parents and crosses and gene action for yield, yield components and water use efficiency related traits. 
 
Result: The present investigations confirmed that some of the parents with significant positive gca effects for seed yield per plant and showed significant positive gca effects for one or more yield, WUE and heat stress tolerance contributing traits. Combination of mean performance and gca effects would result in the selection of potential parents with good reservoir of superior genes. The parents which exhibited high per se performance also displayed good general combining ability effects. Hence, per se performance may be used effectively for the selection of parents. In the present study, MGG 390, ML 267 and EC 362096 were adjudged as the best parents based on both mean and gca effects.&nbsp;</div>

Identification of Best Parents based on per se Performance and gca Effects for Yield and Water use Efficiency Related Traits in Mungbean

<div>Background: Cowpea is a multiple-purpose, drought-tolerant, climate-smart and leguminous pulse crop. Recent studies established this crop as a potential vegetable crop with nitrogen fixation ability and round the year cultivation unlike French bean. In several crops, exotic collections imported into India have positive impact in release of new varieties. Per se performance evaluation is the best option for identification of high yielding varieties. Genetic parameters controlling the expression of yield and its components are essential in determining the effect of such genetic parameters and association among the characters enhancing the green pod yield of vegetable cowpea. 
 
Methods: A set of eighty seven genotypes of vegetable cowpea including 59 exotic collections imported from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria; 24 indigenous germplasm collected from different parts of India&nbsp;and four released commercial varieties were evaluated in a randomized block design during Kharif, 2019. The analysis of variance by <a href="#panse_1985">Panse and Sukhatme (1985)</a>, genetic parameters by <a href="#burton_1953">Burton and De Vane (1953)</a> and heritability in a broad sense and genetic advance by methods given by <a href="#allard_1960">Allard (1960)</a> and <a href="#johnson_1955">Johnson et al., (1955)</a> were carried out to validate the results. 
 
Result: The analysis of variance revealed that genotypes exhibited significant differences for all the characters. Based on per se performances, the exotic collections for flowering and maturity traits and check varieties followed by indigenous collections for yield and yield characters have exhibited superior performance. The highest range of variation was observed for green pod yield per plant. The highest variation was observed for pod yield per plant and number of pods per plant. The higher estimates of GCV and PCV (&gt;20%) were registered by pod width, mature pod weight, number of pods per plant and pod yield per plant, which indicates partly the interaction of the genotypes with the environment influencing the expression of these characters. High heritability along with high genetic advance was observed for green pod yield per plant, pod length, pod width and number of pods per plant indicating that these traits were mainly governed by additive gene action and responsive for their further improvement. The maximum coefficient of variation was recorded for pod width followed by green pod yield per plant, pod weight and pod length. Green pod yield per plant has a positive and significant correlation with pod length, pod width, mature pod weight, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod. Hence, these characters should be considered, while selecting the genotypes for their further genetic improvement in vegetable cowpea.</div>

​Investigations on Per se Performance, Genetic Variability and Correlations in Vegetable Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata&nbsp;(L.) Walp.] Germplasm for Yield and Its Attributing Traits

<div>Background: Indian Pennywort (Centella asiatica L.) is an important tropical medicinal plant having pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and cosmoceutical properties but it is treated as threatened species due to indiscriminate collections from the wild. The whole herb is economically important and its biological effects have been attributed to the existence of major triterpene derivatives including madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic and asiatic acid. To meet the industrial requirement on sustainable basis, commercial cultivation of Centella asiatica L. is the only solution. The sustained supply of quality raw material to the industry is possible only through cultivation of elite genotypes with high potency as the natural resources are dwindling. Increased productivity will also facilitate the international trade with high potency raw material at a reasonable cost. 
 
Methods: The field evaluation was carried out at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Mudigere, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticulture Sciences, Shivamogga during 2018-19 with nine selected accessions along with check variety Vallabh Medha in randomized complete block design with three replications. These accessions were selected based on per se performance with respect to triterpenoid content and its yield over three seasons among 39 accessions collected from different ecological regions of hill zone of Karnataka, India. They were evaluated for quantitative and quantitative traits. 
 
Result: The results of the study indicated that all the parameters&nbsp; studied differed significantly except for chlorophyll content. Among elite accessions, Acc. 07 and Vallabh Medha performed better for most of the growth parameters, while for the yield attributes Acc. 12, Vallabh Medha, Acc. 6 and Acc.18 were found better. Regarding total triterpenoid yield per hectare, the accessions Acc. 12 (180.16 kg ha-1), Acc.3 (141.01 kg ha-1) and Acc.7 (137.98 kg ha-1) seemed to be promising accessions.</div>

Per se Performance of Elite Accessions of Indian Pennywort (Centella asiatica L.) for Growth, Herbage Yield and Triterpenoid Compounds

<div>Background: The productivity of chickpea needs to be increased significantly to exploit the maximum benefit from the increasing world market demand for this crop. Hence, the objective of this study was to find suitable heterotic cross combinations for yield and yield related traits in chickpea.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study on chickpea was conducted at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, during rabi season of 2018-2019. It comprised a half-diallel set of seven diverse parents viz. PG5 and PG170 and five ICRISAT chickpea collections viz. ICC13124, ICC14778, ICC14815, ICC16348 and ICC16349 and their 21 F1 crosses were used for heterosis studies through 7&times;7 diallel analysis with respect to seed yield and other yield contributing traits.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Variance components of combining ability revealed that both additive and non-additive gene actions were important for yield and yield related traits. The parent ICC13124 was best general combiner for yield and related traits. It was also one of the parents in best specific combinations for seed yield. The crosses viz. PG170&times;ICC16349 (7.15), ICC13124&times;ICC14815 (3.22) and ICC13124&times;ICC14778 (3.00) were the best specific cross combinations for seed yield. The highest heterosis for seed yield was observed in cross PG170&times;ICC16349 (73.14%) followed by ICC13124&times;ICC14815 (43.17%) and ICC13124&times;ICC14778 (41.09%). The results showed direct association between the specific combining abilities of the crosses and heterotic response indicating the involvement of additive &times; additive type of interactions causing heterosis. Hence, the GCA, SCA and per se performance of the crosses should be given equal importance while selecting for heterotic combinations.</div>

Per se Performance and Heterosis in Relation to Gene Action for Seed Yield and Yield Related Traits in Chickpea

Twenty Spanish bunch groundnut genotypes were collected from Agriculture Research Station, Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh, along with the check TMV 2 were used to study their variability, heritability &nbsp;and genetic advance as per cent of mean for nineteen characters viz., days to 50% flowering, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) at 40, 50, 60, 70 DAS and at maturity, days to maturity, number of mature pods per plant, biological yield per plant (g), pod yield per plant (g), biological yield per hectare (q), pod yield per hectare (q), harvest index, 100 kernel weight (g), shelling percentage, kernel yield per plant (g), kernel yield per hectare (q), oil content (%) and oil yield per hectare (q) during summer 2013 at Agricultural College farm, Bapatla. The results revealed that the highest PCV and GCV were observed for number of mature pods per plant. High heritability accompanied with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for &nbsp;number of mature pods per plant, biological yield per plant (g), pod yield per plant (g), biological yield per hectare (q), pod yield per hectare (q), kernel yield per plant (g), kernel yield per hectare (q), 100 kernel weight (g) and oil yield per hectare (q) indicating the preponderance of additive gene action which might be exploited through simple selection procedures. The study revealed that the genotypes Abhaya and JCG 88 were better for further breeding from yield point of view.

Studies on variability, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean in Spanish bunch groundnut genotypes (Arachis hypogaea L.) 
&nbsp;

<div>Background: The effect of non-genetic factors including feeding, management, climate, calving year, season and others on animal production improvement has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In addition to improving animal genetics, the importance of optimum environmental conditions in enhancing animal production is recognized.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Data collected from 2008 to 2018 on 2036 records from crossbreeding dairy cattle herd at Holeta Agricultural Research Center were analyzed to evaluate the genetic and non-genetic environmental effect on lactation milk yield (LMY), lactation length (LL) and calving interval (CI). The fixed effect used in the data analysis were breed group, parity, years group of calving and seasons of calving. GLM procedure of SAS was used to analyze the data. 
 
Result: Results of data analysis indicated that breed group and year group of calving had a significant (P&lt;0.05) effect on LMY, LL and CI. Parity significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected LMY and CI but had no significant effects on LL. While, season of calving had no significant influence on all traits. Least square mean LMY was significantly (p&lt;0.05) highest (3191 kg) for 75% first generation breed group and significantly (P&lt;0.05) lowest for pure Ethiopian Borena breed (124 kg LMY). Mean LL was significantly (p&lt;0.05) highest (354 days) for 75% first generation breed group and significantly (P&lt;0.05) lowest for pure Ethiopian Borena breed (178 days). Least square mean CI was significantly (p&lt;0.05) longest (477 days) for 75% first generation breed group and significantly (P&lt;0.05) shortest (422 days) for 75% inter se mated breed group. Among 75% crosses, the 75% inter se mated breed group had lower LMY (2553 kg) and shorter CI (422 days) compared to 75% first generation breed group. The decline in LMY and CI for 75% inter se mated breed group by 637 kg (25%) and 54 days (13%), respectively compared to 75% first generation, which can be attributed to recombination effect.</div>

Analysis of the Non-genetic Factors Influencing the Performance of High-grade and Inter se Mated Crossbred Dairy Cows at Holetta Dairy Research Farm, Ethiopia

<div>Background: Pedigree method of breeding in predominantly self-pollinated crop like dolichos bean enable exploiting only fixable genetic effects as a result of rapid increase in homozygosis. One or a few cycles of inter-mating in F2 generation help create populations with high frequency of desired recombinants which otherwise cannot be realized in later generations. The objective of the present investigation was to assess the impact of inter se mating in F2 population on nine quantitative traits&rsquo; (QTs) mean and variability parameters. 
 
Methods: Randomly selected 20 pairs of a single cross-derived F2 plants with flowering synchrony were inter se mated. Progenies derived from 20 paired crosses (designated as BIP F3 progenies) and those (F3) derived from their 40 F2 parents were evaluated for 9 QTs. Statistics such as mean, absolute range (AR) and standardized range (SR), variance (&sigma;2), additive genetic variance (&sigma;2A) and narrow-sense heritability (NS-h2) were estimated. BIP F3 progenies were compared with those of F3 progenies for QTs mean, AR/SR, &sigma;2, &sigma;2A and NS-h2. Significance of differences between BIP F3 progenies and F3 progenies for mean and &sigma;2 were examined using two-sample t test and Levene&rsquo;s tests, respectively.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The random mating in F2 population was effective in increasing the means, variances, &sigma;2A and NS-h2 of racemes plant-1, fresh pods node-1, fresh pods plant-1 and fresh pod yield plant-1 in dolichos bean. Considering that random mating followed by selfing is a method of genetic improvement for future breeding rather than for immediate use, our results suggest long-term genetic gain and better prospects of deriving superior pure-lines with desired traits/combination of traits from inter-mated population in dolichos bean.</div>

<div>Effect of F2 Inter se Mating on Quantitative Traits Mean, Range, Variance and Heritability in Dolichos Bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet var. Lignosus)</div>

<div>Background: Predicting the breeding potential of crosses in terms traits means, genetic variability and frequency of desirable transgressive segregants in early segregating generations is crucial in breeding programme. Therefore, an experiment was carried out to assess breeding potential of crosses involved parents with varying overall gca status and contrasting responses to powdery mildew disease (PMD) in blackgram. 
 
Methods: Total of 40 F1s developed by following Line &times; Tester design; among, nine crosses were selected based on GCA status of parents and responses to PMD. F1, F2 and F3 along with parents of six and three crosses were evaluated for 10 productivity per se traits and responses to PMD separately during kharif, 2016 and rabi, 2016-17 respectively. The traits means, absolute and standardized range, PCV and frequency of transgressive segregants in F2 and F3 were compared to assess the breeding potential of the crosses.&nbsp; 
 
Result: F2 and F3 generations derived from six crosses (for productivity traits) and three crosses (for PDI) were differed for means, absolute and standardized range, PCV and the frequency of transgressive segregants. This is may be due to the contribution of diverse genes from female and male parent. Though considerable number of transgressive segregants were also identified in F2 and F3 of all the crosses, high frequency of desirable transgressive segregants was observed in crosses involved parents with overall high GCA status.</div>

Breeding Potential of Crosses Derived from Parents Differing in Overall GCA Status for Productivity per se Traits and Powdery Mildew Disease Response in Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

<div>Background: The negative energy balance around calving and in early lactation is the major cause of increased incidence of postpartum metabolic disorders, reduced milk production and impaired reproductive performance. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of rumen protected choline, fat supplementation and Vit-E and selenium&nbsp; injections on plasma endocrine profile, postpartum productivity, fertility and economics in transitional Gir cows.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Forty advanced pregnant multiprous Gir cows of an organized farm were randomly distributed into five equal groups (T1 to T5; n=8 each) and were fed and managed individually from 30 days prepartum till 60 days postpartum. Cows in T1 (control) group were fed basal diet, while cows in treatment groups received basal diet + supplementation of rumen protected choline-RPC @ 45 g/d/cow (T2), rumen protected fat-RPF @ 80 g/d/cow from -30 to +15 days peripartum and then @ 10 g/kg milk yield (T3), RPC and RPF in combination @ as above (T4) and&nbsp; Inj. E-Care Se(R) 10 ml i/m (Vit-E 500 mg and Se 15 mg) on days -30, -15, 0, +15, +30 and +45 peripartum (T5) along with blood samples for estimation of plasma levels of insulin, IGF1, PGFM, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and cortisol. The puerperal events and fertility parameters were recorded till 10 months postpartum.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The fortnightly plasma P4 concentration decreased, while E2, PGFM and cortisol increased gradually and significantly (P&lt;0.01) from 30 days prepartum to day of calving and thereafter P4, E2 and cortisol remained basal or very low, while PGFM decreased till 45-60 days postpartum, overall and in all groups. The treatment effect was significant (P&lt;0.01) only for E2 and PGFM, with higher values of E2 in T3 and T4 groups and of PGFM in T1 and T2 than in T5 group. The insulin and IGF1 concentrations fluctuated insignificantly during prepartum phase with significantly lowest values till 15 and 30 days postpartum and thereafter only IGF1 increased significantly by day 60 postpartum. The treatment effect was also significant at some intervals with overall highest values of both the metabolic hormones in T1 followed by T5 and T2 than T3 and T4 groups. The uterine involution was significantly earlier in all treatment groups than in control. The first heat postpartum (days) was significantly earlier in group T5 (33.6&plusmn;3.4), delayed in group T1 (63.5&plusmn;9.5) and intermediate in Group T2 to T4. The conception rates postpartum were 50.0, 75.0, 62.5, 75.0 and 87.5% in groups T1 to T5, respectively, with significantly reduced service period (days) in T5 (96.3&plusmn;14.6), followed by T2 (137.3&plusmn;11.2), than T1, T3 and T4 groups (187 to 214 days). The overall net returns over feed cost of milk yield and reduced service period in T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups over control T1 were Rs. +15898, +6150, +7165 and +24060, respectively. The findings reflected the beneficial and economic role of RPF alone or in combination with RPC and of Se + Vit E supplementation on peripartum endocrine profile and improved postpartum fertility in Gir cows.</div>

Peripartum Supplementation of Rumen Protected Choline and Fat and Se+Vit E in Gir Cows Economically Improves Endocrine Profile and Reproductive Performance

<div>Growing degree days (GDD) or heat units accumulation is the major factor that affects the dry matter production in the plants. In the present investigation eleven genotypes were used to screen for temperature insensitivity through staggered plantings across the seasons in a year. Days to flowering initiation was recorded and base temperature (Tb) was determined using mean daily air temperature (MAT). GDD of individual genotypes was estimated using base temperatures of particular genotypes. It was observed that the GDD, days to flowering initiation and yield were exhibited high variation across the seasons, the flowering time from days to planting (FTDAP) registered significant negative correlation with GDD and MAT and positively correlated with yield. Whereas GDD is positively correlated with MAT and negatively correlated with yield. Here three genotypes namely, IC202926, IC198326 and IC257428 were identified as temperature insensitive genotypes as their performances were comparable across the seasons without much fluctuations.</div>

<div>Studies on Determination of Critical Growing Degree Days, Base Temperature (Tb) and Response of Temperature Variations on Flowering and Yield per se in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]</div>

Identification of Best Parents based on per se Performance and gca Effects for Yield and Water use Efficiency Related Traits in Mungbean

Investigations on Per se Performance, Genetic Variability and Correlations in Vegetable Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Germplasm for Yield and Its Attributing Traits

Per se Performance of Elite Accessions of Indian Pennywort (Centella asiatica L.) for Growth, Herbage Yield and Triterpenoid Compounds

Per se Performance and Heterosis in Relation to Gene Action for Seed Yield and Yield Related Traits in Chickpea

Studies on variability, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean in Spanish bunch groundnut genotypes (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Analysis of the Non-genetic Factors Influencing the Performance of High-grade and Inter se Mated Crossbred Dairy Cows at Holetta Dairy Research Farm, Ethiopia

Effect of F₂ Inter se Mating on Quantitative Traits Mean, Range, Variance and Heritability in Dolichos Bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet var. Lignosus)

Breeding Potential of Crosses Derived from Parents Differing in Overall GCA Status for Productivity per se Traits and Powdery Mildew Disease Response in Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Peripartum Supplementation of Rumen Protected Choline and Fat and Se+Vit E in Gir Cows Economically Improves Endocrine Profile and Reproductive Performance

Studies on Determination of Critical Growing Degree Days, Base Temperature (T_b) and Response of Temperature Variations on Flowering and Yield per se in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]