Background: Wild introgressions are pivotal in enriching the genetic diversity of cultivated varieties by introducing novel alleles beneficial for crop improvement. Understanding insights into genetic variability and association studies of morphological and floral traits are crucial for enhancing hybrid seed production in rice. 
 
Methods: 290 backcross introgression lines (BC4F2) from inter-specific cross of CRMS 32B (maintainer of male sterile line as low stigma exsertion recipient parent) cv. Oryza sativa with Oryza longistaminata (wild rice as high stigma exsertion donor parent) were assessed for 12 morpho-floral traits. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during Kharif, 2019. 
 
Result: ANOVA results showed significant differences among lines for all examined traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was slightly greater than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for each trait. High PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean were observed for dual stigma exsertion percentage (DSE%) and total stigma exsertion percentage (TSE%), whereas moderate to high values of these parameters were noted for single stigma exsertion percentage (SSE%), grain yield per plant (GYPP), effective tillers per plant (ETPP) and grains per panicle (GPP) traits. Most traits showed positive skewness, except traits SFP (spikelet fertility percentage), SSE% and TSE%. Most traits recorded leptokurtic kurtosis, whereas plant height (PH), GYPP and TSE% exhibited platykurtic kurtosis. TSE% displayed a highly significant positive association with SSE% and DSE%, while GYPP showed a significant positive correlation with ETPP and GPP, presenting a promising opportunity for simultaneous selection of these traits.

Genetic Variability and Association Studies for Morpho-floral Traits in Backcross Introgression Lines of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The present investigation was conducted on records of 345 Murrah buffaloes maintained at Buffalo Research Centre (BRC), Hisar distributed over 20 years (1993-2012) to compare progeny of 61 sires. Three sire evaluation procedures [ordinary least squares (OLS), regressed least squares (RLS), and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP)] based on estimated breeding value of phase traits such as ascending phase milk yield (APY), peak phase milk yield (PPY),descending phase milk yield (DPY)and stayablity trait such as stayablity life (STAYAB) in Murrah buffalo. The results indicated that sire number 26 had the highest merit computed by OLS, RLS and sire number 2 had the highest merit computed by BLUP method for APY. Product&ndash;moment correlations were comparatively lower than those of rank correlations barring a few exceptions. When comparison was made on the basis of coefficient of skewness, BLUP was found superior for APY, PPY, and DPY. When comparison was made on the basis of coefficient of kurtosis, OLS was better for APY and DPY whereas RLS was found superior for PPY and STAYAB. When coefficient of Determination, was considered OLS was found to be more accurate followed by RLS method for all the traits, whereas RLS method was most appropriate when coefficient of variation was considered.

Efficiency of sire evaluation methods by using phase and stayablity traits to improve milk yield of Murrah buffaloes

<div>Background: Induced mutagenesis was employed in horse gram cv. CRIDA 1-18R with an objective of evolving mutants with increased yield potential.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Based on preliminary study, the variety has been irradiated with desirable doses of gamma rays (200 Gy and 300 Gy), electron beam (100 Gy and 200 Gy) and its combination (100 Gy) and the material were forwarded to M2 generation following parent-progeny row basis. The genotypes exhibiting superior yield than control were further forwarded to M3 generation. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the induction of micro-mutants for 11 quantitative traits. 
 
Result: The reduction in mean value over control was observed for most of the yield component traits at M2 generation. Among the mutagenic treatments, combination of gamma rays with electron beam registered high mean values for pod length (5.05 cm), number of pods per plant (54.42) and single plant yield (25.68 g) at M3 generation. Non-significant skewness and / or kurtosis at M3 population denoted the absence of epistatic interactions for plant yield. An increase in variability pattern, H2 and GAM at M3 generation indicated the scope for trait (plant height, number of seeds per pod, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, biological yield and single plant yield) improvement through selection.</div>

<div>Generation of Micro-mutants for Yield and Component Traits in Horse Gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.]</div>

<div>Background: Bruchine is one of the notorious pests that renders both the quantity and quality of pulses stored produce especially blackgram. Hence the present study was carried out to ascertain the essential selection indices among the bruchine resistance traits involved.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A laboratory experiment was conducted to estimate the variability parameters for traits related to bruchine infestation in various crosses of blackgram viz., MDU1 &times; TU68, VBN6 &times; TU68 and VBN8 &times; TU68 at National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban. Observations were recorded for eight bruchine resistance traits on each single plants from three crosses. 
 
Result: The results indicated that all traits viz., total number of adult emergence, developmental time, mean developmental period, index of susceptibility, seed damage (%) and seed weight loss (%) recorded high PCV and GCV in all crosses except developmental time which had moderate to low variation. All traits also recorded high heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean in all crosses except developmental time. Developmental time had moderate to high heritability and genetic advance over the crosses.&nbsp; Considering skewness and kurtosis, the cross MDU 1 &times; TU 68 had a wide variation for total number of adult emergence and seed damage.&nbsp; Hence the cross MDU 1 &times; TU 68 could be selected for the selection of bruchid resistant individuals. The association studies revealed that traits viz., developmental time, total number of adult emergence, index of susceptibility and seed damage were reliable selection indices for the seed weight loss.</div>

Assessment of Variability and Association on Bruchine Resistance Traits (Callosobruchus maculatus F.) among Segregating Populations of Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

<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. 
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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>

Background: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important commercial crop augmenting protein and oil industry. Breeding for improved peanut crop with higher oleic acid content through induced mutagenesis could the best cooking oil in terms of health benefits. Further, the knowledge of the variability parameters and frequency distribution of desired traits could benefit plant breeders while developing selection criteria to maximising the genetic gain. 
 
Methods: The present study aimed to determine the mean lethal dose (LD 50) of gamma irradiation on groundnut TMV (Gn) 13) to create the genetic variability and to screen the putative mutants with allele specific primers based on phenotypic and agronomic traits.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Five traits viz., plant height, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod width and pod yield per plant had expressed significantly higher heritability coupled with high Genetic advance per cent of Mean substantiating the role of additive gene action. Also, the frequency distribution pointed out the positively skewed traits in both the populations. Further, molecular validation through AS-PCR assay revealed the presence of ahFAD2A mutant allele in 4 out of 155 putative mutants. As a result, these mutants have 43-45% oleic acid than the control TMV (Gn) 13, which has 35-39%.

Genetic Variability Analysis of Gamma Irradiated M2 Populations for Higher Oleic Acid Content in TMV (Gn) 13 (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Expansion of cultivation demands an uninterrupted supply of quality planting material. The demand-supply chain in the planting material production of date palms, including India, is skewed due to rapid expansion in non-conventional areas because of increasing awareness of its nutritional importance and stress tolerance. Innovative mass multiplication techniques other than the conventional approaches using offshoots have been developed to achieve the projected demand besides obtaining disease-free plantlets. The expansion has also resulted in fresh problems and the objective and crux of this paper is to critically review this aspect. The study is based on extensive search and thorough analysis of the existing available literature. Systematic approach to classify the problems has also been undertaken. Reports of problems in plants derived through conventional methods and those derived by callus mediated organogenesis and somatic embryos is the foundation of this paper. Problems in date palm propagation and cultivation could be broadly categorised as problems observed under&nbsp;in vitro&nbsp;culture and abnormalities in the field conditions. Each of the identified problems have been explained to describe the symptoms, the susceptible variety/varieties, the causative factors and any recommended control measures. These problems demand focussed research to develop standard protocols and procedures aimed at overcoming these maladies. The main purpose of this paper is to have a focused consolidated and comprehensive review of the ailing&nbsp;in vitro&nbsp;and field level disorders so as to throw light on the pressing problems and define the future lines of investigations. 
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Green House and Field Level Problems of Tissue Cultured Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Plants: A Review

<div>Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism in goats is a serious and widely distributed problem. Diarrhoea, moderate or severe, though a result of various factors involving feed, fodder, seasons and state of gut physiology of digestion, is a common symptom in goats infested with GI parasites, the nematodes and coccidia. Intensity of diarrhoea corresponds to quantum and type of parasitism.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In the present study, 1451 faecal samples collected from goats of different ages (&lt;3 M, &gt;3-6 M, &gt;6-12 M and &gt;12 M) were categorized as normal, lumpy and diarrheic based on their consistency and were processed for parasitic infections. The GI parasitic load was quantified by faecal eggs/oocysts counting (FEC and FOC) per gram of faeces through the modified Mac-master technique. Identification of parasites was based on the morphology of third-stage larvae procured by coproculture of randomly selected positive samples. FEC/FOC data (strongyle and coccidian), being skewed and uneven, were log-transformed to normalize. The transformed data [loge (100+n)] was analyzed statistically and results were interpreted.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Means of FEC and FOC in three type of faecal samples viz. normal, lumpy and diarrheic, were significantly different. Similarly, the effect of age on FEC and FOC was significant. The interaction between animals age &times; faecal sample type was significant in coccidian and non-significant in strongyle infection. The results were discussed to support the hypothesis that faecal consistency was a measure of coccidian and strongyle worm load in goats and can be a basis of targeted selective treatment.</div>

​Faecal Consistency: A Measure of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Goats

Background: Pigeonpea plays a crucial role in providing food and nutritional security to the people across the world. Productivity of pigeonpea has remained very low and stagnant over last five decades because of low genetic potential, poor plant type and longer crop duration of the existing cultivars. There is need to restructure the plant type through genomic tools to enhance the productivity. Therefore, the present study was done to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with key agronomic traits, including plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, number of pods per plant, pod length and number of seed per pod. 
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Methods: A population of 144 F2:3 lines derived from cross between genetically diverse genotypes ICPL84023 and ICP7035 was used to construct a linkage map using SSR markers. 
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Result: All&nbsp; phenotypic traits varied widely and skewness value for plant height, pod length, and seed per pod was less than 1.0 and for number of primary branch, secondary branch and pod per plant it was more than 1.0. Single marker analysis detected 7 SSR markers associated with 5 agronomic traits; CcGM17620 located on LG_Cc8, showed maximum phenotypic variance of 19.33% for plant height. Composite interval mapping identified 2 QTLs, qPH5.1 and qPH8.1 with PVE of 3.57% and 72.52% respectively and one QTL, qPD3.1 for number of pod per plant with PVE of 8.11%. The QTLs identified in this study provide a strong foundation for further validation and fine mapping for utilization in&nbsp; pigeonpea improvement program. 
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Genetic Mapping of QTLs for Agronomic Traits in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Background: Horned melon shows substantial potential for agricultural progress and improved climate resilience within Zimbabwe. While its cultivation by small-scale farmers in Mashonaland East is expanding, its wider economic and community contributions have yet to be thoroughly investigated. 
 
Methods: To address this gap, a mixed-methods study was undertaken in ward 20, 21 and 27 of Mutoko district, involving 135 randomly selected smallholder farmers. Data were collected via interviews, observations and semi-structured questionnaires, with quantitative data subsequently analyzed using SPSS.&nbsp; 
 
Result: A key finding revealed a strong positive Pearson correlation (r = 0.801) between perceived income benefits and the land area allocated to horned melon, indicating that economic incentives are primary drivers of cultivation decisions. Farmers reported an average market price of USD 75.00 per 50kg bag, with typical seasonal sales ranging from 15 to 18 sacks; however, a positively skewed distribution indicated that some farmers achieved significantly higher volumes. Beyond direct sales, the crop contributes to multiple living dimensions, including education, food security, healthcare, income generation and environmental sustainability, with its financial impact on schooling and essential services being especially notable. Despite its growing importance, investments in critical infrastructure, equipment and training for horned melon cultivation remain limited. These outcomes collectively underscore the horned melon&rsquo;s rising economic relevance and highlight the crucial need for targeted support to fully maximize its role in rural livings and sustainable agriculture. And policies should strengthen targeted extension programs for horned melon agronomy to equip smallholders with skills that boost productivity, quality and income.

Commercial Assessment of Horned Melon (Cucumis metuliferus) Cultivation in Local Economic Development and Social Well-being in Rural Livelihood of Zimbabwe