Background: Groundnut, a reputed cash crop govern the national economy integrating biometrical and nutritional superiority.&nbsp; The role of oleic and linoleic acids determining the oil quality were controlled by alleles a09 (ahFAD2A) and b09 (ahFAD2B) respectively. Groundnut exhibiting significant levels of oleic acid can supplement variety of nutritional and physiological benefits. The present study involved the investigation of major biometrical and nutritional traits on the putative mutants developed from the groundnut variety TMV(Gn)13. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Genetic material used for the present study involved M3&nbsp;populations (200Gy, 250Gy and 30 EMS, 50 EMS) developed involving a pureline from TMV (Gn) 13. The seeds of TMV(Gn)13 were exposed to gamma irradiation with an acute dose ranged between 100 and 700 Gy and EMS during Kar 2024. Based upon the GR 50 values, the progenies of 200 gy and 250 gy besides chemical EMS dose of 30 EMS and 50 EMS dosage were evaluated in M1&nbsp;during Rabi 2022 and selected putative mutants was forwarded to M2&nbsp;during Kharif 2023. Phenotypic traits including oil quality traits along with LLS were investigated. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Biometrical traits viz., pod length, kernel width and other yield contributing traits had exhibited minimum coefficient of variation while the greater CV was registered for the oil quality traits. Putative mutants PM 8, PM 24 and PM 32 construed as superior mutants among the thirty-two putative mutants expressing greater value for most of the yield and oil quality traits. Principal component analysis construed that the first five principal components explained about 86.99 per cent of the total genetic variability. Cluster analysis grouped 32 putative mutants and three checks under three clusters indicating the maximum accommodation of putative mutants in cluster&nbsp; I. The putative mutants were genotyped with allele specific marker along with the primers specific to LLS and oleic acid trait implicated that Girnar 4(71.27%), PM 8(43.23%), PM 24(44.34%) and PM 32(43.47%) were found to have ahFAD2A mutation with high oleic acid content when compared with the control TMV (Gn) 13 (35-39%).

Genetic Improvement of Arachis hypogaea var TMV(Gn) 13 Through Induced Mutagenesis

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.)

<div style="text-align: justify;">Sesame is notable for its rich antioxidants and sesame oil is also familiar for its resistance to oxidation. The cultivation of sesame is usually restricted under abiotic stress conditions. Hence in order to study the performance of sesame genotypes to saline stress, an experiment was conducted &nbsp;to screen ten ruling varieties of sesame viz., CO1, SVR1, SVPR1, VRI 1, VRI 2, TMV 3, TMV 4, TMV 5, TMV 6 and TMV 7 at five different EC levels (EC 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). &nbsp;Seedling observations namely, germination percentage, speed of germination, shoot length, root length and dry matter production were recorded. Among the genotypes, it was found that under higher saline conditions (EC5), VRI 1 recorded higher seedling length (2.0 cm), vigour index I (100) and vigour index II (1.15), whereas under normal condition, TMV 4 and CO 1 performed better. In general, there was a decrease in all the seedling parameters with increased levels of salinity. With STAR software, Multivariate analysis was done and on the basis of dendrogram, five clusters were formed and the cophenotic correlation co- efficient was found highest in Control (0.912) followed by EC 2 ( 0.829).</div>

Multivariate analysis of sesame genotypes under saline stress

Background: Soil calcareousness is the major problem in arid and semi arid regions globally since lime induced chlorosis lead to the deficiency of many essential plant nutrients which in turn resulted in reduced growth and yield loss of many crops. To explore the effects of various concentrations of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on seed germination and seedling growth of groundnut genotypes and to identify CaCO3 stress tolerant and sensitive groundnut genotypes. 
 
Methods: The seed germination and seedling growth of ten groundnut genotypes (CO 6, CO 7, TMV 2, TMV 10, TMV 13, TMV 14, VRI 7, VRI 8, ALR 2 and BSR 2) was investigated with CaCO3 concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 mM L-1 for a period of 14 days. 
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Result: The genotypes VRI 8 and TMV 10 showed higher seed germination and seedling growth even at higher CaCO3 concentration (upto 20 mM L-1) and considered as tolerant genotypes. Whereas TMV 2 and VRI 7 exhibited drastic reduction even at 1 mM L-1 and confirms their susceptibility to CaCO3 stress. Higher concentrations of CaCO3 in the growing medium greatly decreased the germination rate, germination index and vitality index but the impact differs with potentials of genotypes studied.&nbsp;

Differential Response of Groundnut Genotypes for Varying CaCO3 Concentrations&nbsp;

<div>A field experiment was conducted on a sandy clay soil to screen eighteen groundnut genotypes for their sulphur (S) efficiency and to know its effect on growth, yield and sulphur availability and uptake. There were two levels of sulphur (0 and 40 kg ha-1) applied as gypsum basally and replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Results revealed that inclusion of 40 kg S ha-1 as gypsum significantly improved the growth and yield attributes of all the groundnut genotypes besides increasing the kernel and haulm yield. Soil available sulphur and sulphur uptake by the genotypes were also considerably improved by sulphur addition which differs widely among them. Several indices were computed for assessing the sulphur efficiency and found that, the genotypes, VRI 6, CO 7, TMV 7, TMV 13, VRI 5, VRI 3, CO2 and CO 6 were found efficient and responsive for sulphur application while VRI 8, and TMV 10 were inefficient but found responsive. However the varieties such as Local, VRI 4, CO 3, VRI 2, VRI 7, TMV 2, ALR 3 and BSR 1 were highly non responsive and inefficient in utilizing the applied sulphur.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Screening groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) genotypes for sulphur efficiency</div>

Background:&nbsp;Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) stands as a highly studied virus and consequently, its features and composition are extensively understood. It has been found to induce diverse infections in numerous plant species, with tobacco leaves being notably affected, showing mottled browning. Presently, the sole available method to control its spread is by removing infected plants. Understanding codon use bias is crucial as it could play a pivotal role in molecular interventions aimed at halting the virus&rsquo;s replication and multiplication, thereby helping to contain its propagation. 
 
 
Methods: Currently, the research focuses on assessing codon bias within six genes related to the replicase/coat protein of TMV, namely TMVgp1, TMVgp2, TMVgp3, TMVgp4, TMVgp5 and TMVgp6. To conduct this analysis, various methods such as relative dinucleotide abundance, relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), neutrality plot and parity rule 2 (PR2) plot were employed. 
 
 
Result: All of the identified genes had a modest codon bias, according to the study on codon usage, as well as the function of mutation pressure in gene TMVgp3 and natural selection in genes TMVgp1, TMVgp2, TMVgp4, TMVgp5 and TMVgp6. The Research into codon use bias showed that the TMV virus&rsquo;s chosen genes are subjected to naturally occurring selection as well as mutational pressure.

Analysis of Codon Usage Bias of Six Genes of Replicase/Coat Protein of Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Background: Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) construed as one of the most dynamic oilseed crop, delivering high protein besides significantly meet country&rsquo;s major oil requirement. In India, 10.1 million tonnes of groundnut are produced over an area of around 5.7 million hectares at a productivity of 1777 kg/ha. Groundnut is always been a fascinating crop to small and marginal farmers but its yield was greatly challenged by foliar fungal diseases such as early leaf spot, late leaf spot and rust. Among these, late leaf spot (LLS) is a major foliar fungal disease which cause severe defoliation of diseased leaflets and reduce pod and fodder yield by 50 per cent besides the kernel quality. 
 
Methods: The present investigation was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam during the year 2022-2024 involving 220 groundnut genotypes along with a resistant check (ICG 6066) and susceptible checks (TMV 2, TMV 7 and TMV 13) for screening against late leaf spot resistance under both field and artificial controlled conditions thereby assessment of the disease through molecular intervention.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Molecular interpretation revealed five markers exhibiting polymorphism to LLS disease out of 30 markers validated. The PIC values ranged from 0.501 (TC7H11) to 0.570 (Ah3TC23H10). Molecular marker screening for disease resistance categorized ICG 978, ICG 1649, ICG 1703 and ICG 2280 genotypes as resistant to late leaf spot disease&nbsp; while ICG 8760, ICG 4598, ICG 5051, ICG 5891 and ICG 6057 exhibited moderately resistant for late leaf spot besides exhibited higher mean yield performance among the test genotypes. Hence, the genotypes ICG 8760, ICG 4598, ICG 5051, ICG 5891 and ICG 6057 may be utilized for developing ideal recombinants for LLS resistance breeding in Groundnut.

Molecular Assessment of Late Leaf Spot Resistance in Germplasm Collections of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: The system output of groundnut based intercropping system depends on the selected companion crop as well as the frequency with which irrigation is supplied. This initiates a requisite to evaluate the performance of present traditional intercropping systems and thereby optimize the level of irrigation for both the crops under the system. 
 
Methods: A two-year field experiment was conducted during the rabi season 2017-2019 at Oilseeds Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tindivanam, Tamil Nadu, India The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Main plot comprised of five treatments with four intercrops viz., castor (TMV 5), blackgram (VBN 8), sesame (TMV 7), pearl millet (CO 10) and sole groundnut (TMV 13). The sub plot was assigned with three irrigation regimes based on IW/CPE ratio of 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Groundnut + blackgram combination recorded higher pod yield (6.31 g plant-1), equivalent pod yield (1986 kg ha-1) with increased water use efficiency (5.49 kg ha-1 mm-1) and economic water productivity (₹&nbsp;309 ha-1 mm-1) over sole groundnut while other intercropping combinations failed to express. Soil moisture extraction pattern was higher at top layers and decreased with soil depth. More frequent irrigations (IW/CPE 1.0) mismatched with the crop water requirement and resulted in higher consumptive water use (500.8 mm) with moisture extraction pattern from initial layers favouring evaporation losses. At peak growth stage (60 days after sowing) higher light interception was observed in groundnut + pearl millet (41.4%) followed by castor (38.2%) combinations which was the prime reason for decreased yields as groundnut is susceptible to shading. Therefore, groundnut + blackgram combination under rabi season when supplied with six irrigations at twenty days interval (based on IW/CPE 0.50) could significantly increase the productivity and monetary returns from the system.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Influence of Irrigation Regimes on the Performance of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) under Intercropping Situation</div>

Background: Stem rot of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) caused by Scelrotium rolfsii is the main threat to groundnut production, causing significant economic losses both in India and globally. Despite the economic losses attributed to this pathogen, there are limited reports concerning the virulence and physiological alterations in groundnut in response to increased carbon dioxide levels and pathogen interactions. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: A pot culture experiment was carried out at ICRISAT during the rabi season of 2022-23 in Open Top Chambers (OTC) to assess the virulence and physiological parameters of groundnut to climate change and pathogen interactions. The study was carried out at three different carbon dioxide levels (400 ppm, 550 ppm and 700 ppm) using the susceptible cultivar TMV 2 and the moderately resistant cultivar ICGV-14082. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Virulence of the Sclerotium rolfsii and physiological responses of groundnut plants were studied. Groundnut plants were grown in open top chambers (OTC) under three different simulated carbon dioxide levels, 400 ppm, 550 ppm and 700 ppm. Virulence of Sclerotium rolfsii decreased at increased levels of carbon dioxide levels in both TMV-2 and ICGV-14082 cultivars. Stomatal density and guard cell length in groundnut leaves were decreased as carbon dioxide levels increased.

Effect of Carbon Dioxide Levels on Virulence and Physiological Parameters in Association with Stem Rot Disease of Groundnut

<div>Background: Water Footprint is a recently used indicator which helps to reduce water depletion and alleviate water stress in areas of drought and proper crop cultivation. Hence a study was taken up to assess the crop water footprint of different groundnut varieties namely TMV 7, VRI 2, VRI 3, VRI Gn 5, VRI Gn 6, CO 3, CO Gn 4, ALR 3 and TMV Gn 13 cultivated during Kharif and Rabi seasons at Tiruchirapalli district of Tamil Nadu. 
 
Methods: The total water requirement, blue and green crop evapotranspiration, blue and green crop water use and total water footprint for different varieties of groundnut were estimated using CROPWAT 8.0 Windows. A comparison was made between the water footprint of groundnut varieties and the strategies to reduce water footprint is presented. 
 
Result: The total water footprint for groundnut varieties ranged from 2603 to 4889 m3 ton-1 (CV of 26%) during kharif season, while it was ranged from 1465 to 2470 m3 ton-1 (CV of 18%) during rabi season. It was found that in all groundnut varieties the blue water footprint is higher than the green water footprint, while VRI Gn 5 variety had minimum total water footprint. It was concluded that, the groundnut production is affected by different levels of blue water stress which requires effective irrigation practices and water management strategies to enhance the crop production.</div>

Genetic Improvement of Arachis hypogaea var TMV(Gn) 13 Through Induced Mutagenesis

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

Multivariate analysis of sesame genotypes under saline stress

Differential Response of Groundnut Genotypes for Varying CaCO₃ Concentrations

Screening groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) genotypes for sulphur efficiency

Analysis of Codon Usage Bias of Six Genes of Replicase/Coat Protein of Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Molecular Assessment of Late Leaf Spot Resistance in Germplasm Collections of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Influence of Irrigation Regimes on the Performance of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) under Intercropping Situation

Effect of Carbon Dioxide Levels on Virulence and Physiological Parameters in Association with Stem Rot Disease of Groundnut

Assessment of Crop Water Footprint for Different Varieties of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)