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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on Effect of Plant-Microbe Interactions on Growth and Pigment Accumulation in Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)and Tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum Mill.)
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2017) Bharti, Neha; Husaini, Amjad M.
    Plant-microbe interactions which are symbiotic in nature have immense potential in enhancing plant growth and development. Many studies have shown that such symbiotic relationships between microorganisms and plants have promising potential. The present study was carried out to study the effect of organic cultural practices/microbial inoculations on the growth and development of tomato and saffron crops. The carotenoid biosynthesis pathway is of vital significance to these crops for pigment production. Therefore, the effect of plant-microbe interactions was studied with respect to pigment accumulation in these plants. The highlights of the study are that some microbial combinations were very promising with respect to enhancing the economic yield of the crops. In tomato, the average shoot height ranged from 106.60 cm to 187.20 cm,average shoot biomass ranged between 150.10 g and 1429.50 g, averageroot depth which ranged from 102.80 cm to 117.20 cm, average root biomass ranged between 63.40 g and 281.33 g and average fruit yield ranged from 241.03 g plant-1 to 873.58 g plant-1.In saffron, average shoot height ranged from 13.10 cm to 22.47 cm, the average shoot biomass ranged between 0.86 g and 2.18 g, average root depth ranged from 12.60 cm to 30.33 cm, average root biomass ranged between 0.90 g and 2.10 g, average stigma yield per plant ranged from 0.02 g to 0.03 g. T3(VAM +PSB+KSB) was found to be the best treatment which showed maximum fruit yield in tomato (873.58 g plant-1) and maximum stigma yield in saffron (0.03 g plant-1). Biochemical characterization of tomato leaf revealed that average chlorophyll content ranged between 2.07 mg g-1 and 4.46 mg g-1, average protein content ranged from 0.17 mg g-1 to 1.23 mg g-1, average proline concentration ranged from 0.14 µM g-1 to 0.93 µM g-1, average phenolic content was found to lie in between 0.60 mg 100g-1 and 3.64 mg 100g-1 and average carotenoid content ranged from 46.13 µg g-1 to 72.53 µg g-1. The value of average lycopene content in the tomato fruit was found to be between 2.92 mg g-1 and 6.11 mg g-1, while the phenolic content in tomato fruit ranged from 0.478 mg g-1to 2.261mg g-1. For pigment accumulation, average carotenoid content in fruit samples ranged from 33.63µg g-1to 71.04µg g-1. The maximum lycopene content was found in T4 (Azotobacter + Azospirillum +VAM+PSB+KSB) and maximum carotenoid content was found in T3 (VAM+PSB+KSB).In saffron leaf, average chlorophyll content ranged between 3.41 mg g-1 and 3.86 mg g-1, average protein content ranged from 0.17 mg g-1 to 1.23 mg g-1, average proline concentration ranged from 0.30 µM g-1 to 0.75 µM g-1, average phenolic content was found to lie in between 1.78 mg g-1 and 5.22 mg g-1. Average carotenoid content of saffron stigma ranged from 55.99 µg g-1 to 82.82 µg g-1. The value of average crocin content in the saffron stigma was found to lie in between 260.24 and 325.46, the value of average picrocrocin content in the saffron stigma was found to be between 139.11 and 215.13 and the value of average safranal content in the dried saffron stigma was found to be between 24.13 and 55.49. The maximum carotenoid (82.82 µg g-1) as well as apocarotenoid content was found in T3 (VAM+PSB+KSB).
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Identification and Molecular Characterization of Genotypes of Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) Showing Resistance Against Fusarium Wilt
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2017) Pandita, Deepika; Bhat, M. Ashraf
    Chilli is an important crop grown worldwide for fresh fruits used as vegetable and spice production. The major chilli growing countries are India, China, Korea, Nigeria, U.S.S.R. Mexico, etc. Wilt disease caused by Fusariumoxysporumis a major problem in all chilli growing areas of India leading to heavy yield loss. Being a soil-borne pathogen, chemical control is difficult and non-economical. Cultivation of wilt resistant cultivars has proved to be an effective strategy to minimise the loss. However, breeding for wilt resistance has been challenging due to complex inheritance and pathogen variability. Biotechnology offers new strategies that can be used to improve/develop wilt resistant chilli cultivars by identification and characterization of resistant varieties, while defining the presence of candidate genes for resistance against Fusariumoxysporum with the help of molecular markers such as RAPD (Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA), AFLP (Amplified Fragments Length Polymorphism), SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats), RFLP (Restriction Fragments Length Polymorphism) and result in increased productivity. Hence, this study was proposed to identify and characterise the genotypes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) showing resistance against Fusarium wilt using RAPD markers. A total of 32 genotypes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) were randomly taken provided by the Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar and the pure culture of Fusarium oxysporum was facilitated by the Division of Plant Pathology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar. A total of 20 RAPD markers were utilized to characterize and assess the genetic diversity among 32 tested genotypes of chilli. Among these 15 markers generated good and reproducible products for all 32 tested genotypes, which were further used for the molecular characterization.A total of 161 fragments were produced across the 32 genotypes with 15 RAPD markers with an average of 10.733fragments per unit assay. The number of fragments generated by each marker varied from 4 to 18. Minimum number of fragments (4) were generated by the markers OPA-01, OPA-05 and OPA-10 as comparedto marker OPE-03 produced to maximum (18) number of fragments on 1.5% EtBr stained agarose gel. The highest number of polymorphic bands (18) were produced by the primer OPE-03 and the lowest number of polymorphic band (1) was produced by primer OPC-08, with an average number of 10 polymorphic bands per unit assay. In contrast to this, the primer namely OPC-08 was recorded with maximum number of monomorphic bands (3) generated.The values of PIC varied greatly among all the 32 tested genotypes of chilli. The maximum value of PIC 0.926 was observed for the primer namely OPE-03, as compared to OPA-09 which exhibited minimum PIC 0.721. The highest EMR (4.26) was observed for the primer namely OPA-04 in contrast to this the primers namely OPC-08 and OPE-03 showed the minimum EMR values, 0.06 each. The highest MI value 3.716 was recorded for primer OPA-04 and the lowest MI value 0.049 was observed for primer OPC-08.An average resolving power was recorded 12.969. The highest resolving power (Rp) 18.903, was recorded for the RAPD marker namely OPD-18 as compared to marker OPC-08 showing the minimum level of Rp (6.187) in the tested genotypes.The maximum value of Jaccard’s dissimilarity was recorded as 1.08 and the least value was recorded to be 0.0. However, the overall mean value of dissimilarity was obtained 0.646.Cluster analysis clearly separated the genotypes to their phylogenetic relation based on Jaccard’s dissimilarity indices. The genotypes got clustered into two major clusters viz. cluster I and cluster II. Interestingly, the cluster I was having only one genotype namely ArkaLohit (a recognized wilt resistant variety developed through a selection in the local genotypes by the breeders of Indian Institute of Horticultural research-Bangalore), on the other hand the rest of the 31 genotypes which are considered as local germplasm gathered in cluster II further dividing into five other sub-clusters.The genetic distance or tree distance between cluster I and cluster II was recorded 0.548 which depicts a substantial level of genetic diversity between the local germplasm of Kashmir valley and non-local germplasm.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Isolation, Sequencing, In silico analysis of badh homologues/alleles and validation of DNA Markers for MAS in Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2016) Aafreen Sakina; Husaini, Amjad M.
    Aroma trait imparts speciality to the rice and increases its demand in market. Genotypes of aromatic rice have been reported to possess a truncated version of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (badh2) located on chromosome no 8, which causes the production of aroma. Kashmir varieties need to be screened for the presence of variants of this fragrance imparting gene badh2 for use in crop improvement programmes. In present study 10 genotypes of rice grown locally in Kashmir including special rice of Kashmir i.e Mushk Budji were assessed for allelic variants of exon 7 of badh2 gene. Based on previous studies, primers were designed that targeted 8 bp deletion in exon 7 of badh2 gene and amplified a fragment of 95 bp in aromatic rice varieties and 103 bp fragment in non-aromatic varieties. To validate the results 463 bp region covering the target deletion was amplified by another set of primers (OsBadh2) and subsequently the bands were eluted and got sequenced by Sanger method. Software program T-COFEE was used for creating multiple sequence alignment in the region of interest. The analysis showed presence of a deletion of 8 bps “GATTATGG” and three SNPs were in exon 7 of aromatic rice genotypes which could be the possible reason of truncated betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme and subsequently aroma. No such deletion was found in non-aromatic rice varieties. Hence functional markers for badh2 allele were validated in all accessions of Mushk-budji, Pusa sugandh-3 and Basmati 1509 (aromatic varieties) which can facilitate development of fragrant rice varieties through MAS. Surprisingly aroma was not detected in a so-called accession claimed to be Kamad which had been collected from a farmer’s field in year 2009. This so called Kamad didn’t show any aroma in the fragrance test of Berner and Hoff and same was corroborated by evidence from PCR results and sequencing. It doesn’t possess the 8 bp deletion! The reason could be that the concerned farmer was growing a mixture of aromatic and non aromatic genotypes in his field, and his claim was wrong.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of methods/protocols for micropropagation of Kashmir Chinar (Platanus orientalis L.)
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2015) Wasia Showket; Husaini, Amjad M.
    The research study entitled “Development of methods/protocols for micropropagation of Kashmir Chinar (Platanus orientalis L.)” was conducted to standardize protocol for aseptic establishment, shoot regeneration and root regeneration from nodal and internodal segments of Platanus orientalis L. The sterilization treatment that showed the highest survival percentage in nodal explants (40.20) and internodal explants (51.86) was with 0.1% mercuric chloride for 10 minutes. Internodal explants survived sterilant treatment better than nodal explants. For shoot regeneration, SR-7 medium supplemented with IBA (0.25 mg l-1), BA (4 mgl-1) proved the best for both nodal and internodal explants. The maximum number of shoots 7.49 per explant, maximum shoot length (3.04 cm) was obtained when both explants nodal and internodal segments were cultured on SR-7 medium supplemented with BA(4 mg/l-1) plus IBA(0.25 mg/l-1). SR-6 medium supplemented with IBA( 1 mg l-1) and BA (2 mg l-1) in both the explants nodal and internodal segments resulted in highest rooting percent (100%), maximum average number of roots 12.83 per shoot and maximum average root length (2.96 cm). The response of internodal explants interms of shooting percent (42.77) and rooting per cent (97.34) was significantly higher than the shooting per cent (21.02) and rooting per cent (92.26) response of nodal explants. As such the protocol thus developed will be of value for establishing a comprehensive biotechnological programme/commercial tissue culture of this heritage tree of Kashmir under Kashmir valley conditions.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Identification and Morpho-molecular Characterization of Genotypes of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Showing Resistance to Sheath Blight Disease
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2015) Mir, Saba; Bhat, Prof. M. Ashraf
    The present investigation entitled “Identification and Morpho-molecular characterization of genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.) showing resistance to sheath blight disease” was undertaken to obtain information on the variability and genetic divergence of the genotypes studied. Assessment of genetic diversity in crop germplasm is vital for identification of the genotypes to be used in the future breeding programme. Nature and magnitude of genetic variability, genetic diversity (D2 statistics) at the phenotypic level was estimated in 102 rice genotypes and genetic distance at molecular level (using SSR primers) was assessed in 32 genotypes. Screening of the genotypes for resistance/tolerance to rice sheath blight disease revealed that among all the genotypes the highest disease incidence (100%) and intensity (91.34%) was recorded in PUSA-3 followed by the genotype PUSA-5 (100% and 90.12% respectively) while the lowest disease incidence (10%) and intensity (1.11) was recorded in Niver Zag. Thus, about 40.19 per cent genotypes showed resistance. Of the remaining 61 genotypes 8 were moderately susceptible, 36 were susceptible and 17 were highly susceptible. Morphological traits vis-a-vis, flag leaf angle, panicle type, awing, panicle threshability and seed coat colour was characterized using standard procedure of IRRI on the basis of scale (scores 0-9). Flag leaf angle was erect/intermediate in nearly 69.33 per cent genotypes. Panicle type was compact/intermediate in nearly 80.43 genotypes with its panicle threshability as intermediate to easy in nearly 38.37 genotypes seed coat colour was white/brown in nearly 73.43 genotypes. Awning was absent in 84.31 genotypes. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits studied. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability were observed for leaf width (cm) followed by tillering ability, grain yield ha-1 (q), plant height (cm) , leaf length (cm) and panicle length (cm). In general the phenotypic coefficients of variation were higher than genotypic coefficients of variation which indicates the role of environment in the expression of traits under observation. The estimates of heritability in broad sense was high for all the characters. The present investigation indicates a great scope in the improvement of these traits as these characters in general possessed high estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advancement except for days to maturity, grain length (mm) and days to 50% flowering (high heritability but moderate genetic gain) indicating the preponderance of additive gene action for control of these traits. Estimates of divergence among 102 rice genotypes revealed that significant divergence existed among them. The genotypes under study were grouped into 8 clusters as per Mahalanobis D2 (1928) analysis employing Tochers method; with maximum number of genotypes in cluster IV (40) followed by cluster II (23), cluster VII (16), cluster VI (14) and cluster VIII (3). Maximum intercluster distance was observed between cluster VII and VIII (1146.52) while maximum intracluster distance was observed in cluster V (1271.69).The per cent contribution towards the total genetic divergence revealed that plant height (cm), days to 50% flowering, grain yield ha-1 (q), days to maturity, tillering ability and leaf width (cm) were the main contributing characters towards total genetic divergence. Molecular characterization of selected 32 genotypes from amongst the 102 genotypes was carried out using SSR markers. Eight SSR primers were used, which identified a total of 22 alleles across these genotypes with a range of 2-5 alleles per locus and a mean of 2.87 per locus. The PIC values, measuring allelic diversity and polymorphism ranged from 0.22 (RM 245) to 0.67 (RM 202), with a mean PIC value of 0.42 per locus. Highest Effective Multiplex Ratio (1.58) was observed in primers RM 530 and RM 555 and lowest (0.14) in primer RM 245. Hightest percentage of polymorphism (22.58%) was obtained in primer RM555 and RM 530 and lowest (7.14) was observed in primer RM 145. Similarity coefficients (measuring relatedness) were used to construct the dendogram and clustering pattern of the genotypes. Pair wise similarity coefficients ranged from 0.10-0.93. Similarity coefficient value revealed presence of good genetic diversity among these genotypes at the molecular level. All the 32 genotypes got clustered into four clusters with maximum number of genotypes (13) in cluster III followed by cluster I.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Biochemical and Molecular characterization of pigmented and scented rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm of Kashmir
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2015) Humaira Ashraf; Husaini, Amjad M.
    Assessment of genetic diversity in a crop germplasm is vital. In the present study a set of 19 rice accessions, including pigmented, scented landraces, Basmati-type genotypes and popular varieties, were evaluated biochemically. De-husked rice grains were assessed for protein content, which ranged between 5.510 to 8.860 per cent; starch which ranged between 70.450 to 79.360 per cent; amylose 18.230-24.340 per cent; fiber 1.383-3.310 per cent; phenols 1.020-4.870 mg/g; carotenoids 0.002-0.022 µg/g and anthocyanin 5943.14-9995.34 µg/g. Further a set of 24 of SSR markers were used to estimate the genetic diversity in 16 rice accessions. Pair-wise comparisons between the tested genotypes were used to calculate the genetic similarity. The lowest value of genetic similarity (0) was recorded between Zager and Kawa kreed, Black rice and Jhelum, Black rice and Shalimar rice1, Zager and Kawa kreed, followed by 0.1 between Zag 2 and Zager, Zag 4 and Jhelum indicating that these cultivars are quiet differentiated genetically (genetic distance=0.00). On the other hand, highest genetic similarity was recorded between Zag-2 and Zag-4 (0.6471), followed by 0.555 between Zag-13 and Pusa sugandh-3. The SSR marker profile resulted in six clusters at nearly 0.05 similarity level. The genotypes assigned to different clusters viz. Cluster I consisted of four genotypes (Zag 1, Zag 13, Pusa Sugandh 3, Zag 14) and further divided into two sub-clusters (Ia and Ib) separated from each other at a similarity value of 0.40 (Table 14). Among these sub-clusters, the cluster Ia contained three genotype each, Ib contain one genotype. Cluster II consisted of three genotypes (Zag 2, Zag 4, Zag 10) and further divided into two sub-clusters IIa and IIb separated from each other at a similarity value of 0.45. Among these sub-cluster the highest number of genotypes is two in IIa and one in IIb. Cluster III consisted of three genotypes (Black Rice, Mushk budji, Kamad) and was divided into two sub-clusters (IIIa and IIIb) separated from each other at a similarity value of 0.46. Among these sub-clusters IIIa contained two genotypes and IIIb only one genotype. Cluster IV consisted of two genotypes (Kawa kreed and Laul anzul) and was not sub-clustered. Cluster V consisted of two sub-clusters Va and Vb separated from each other at a similarity value 0.28 and sub-cluster Va contained one genotype (Zager) and Vb contained two genotypes (Purple Rice and Jehlum). Cluster VI is independent and separated from cluster V at a similarity value 0.19 and consisted of only one genotype (Shalimar Rice 1).
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Identification and morpho-molecular characterization of resistant bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2015) Wani, Amir Bashir; Bhat, M. Ashraf
    Experimental material composed of 132 genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) out of which 10 genotypes were selected for extensive studies like morphological characterization, estimation of genetic variability and other genetic parameters, presence of genetic diversity at phenotypic and genotypic distance at a molecular level (using micro-satellites markers). The experiment was conducted at Research Farm, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar during 2014. Morphological traits of qualitative nature viz., growth habit, flower colour, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, no. of pods plant 1, no. of seeds pod 1, seed colour, 100 seed weight and grain yield (q ha-1) were analyzed which indicated presence of sufficient variability with respect to their traits. Analysis of variance revealed presence of significant genetic variation among these genotypes for all the traits studied. Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was high for 100 seed weight, yield ha 1 and for disease incidence percentage; moderate for no of pods plant-1 and for no of seeds pod-1 and low for 50% flowering and for days to maturity. For all the traits, estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher in magnitude than the corresponding estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), indicating the presence of environmental effect. Heritability estimates (broad sense) were high for 100 seed weight, yield ha-1 and for disease incidence percentage. Estimation of genetic divergence using Mahalanobis D2 among bean genotypes was highly significant, while these genotypes got grouped into 4 clusters with cluster I having maximum of 4 genotypes and cluster III was monogenotypic. Inter-cluster distance was maximum between cluster-Ι and cluster-ΙV followed by cluster-ΙΙ and cluster-ΙV. The maximum divergence came from yield ha -1 (55.56%). Molecular characterization of 10 common bean genotypes was done using micro-satellite markers. The total number of 148 bands were produced among them the number of polymorphic bands were 40 with an average of 3.07 per primer. Primer 841, BMD-3 and ROC-11 exhibited the highest PIC value of 0.49. Marker index (MI) value was highest (0.169) for SBD-5 primer whereas the lowest (0) was for primers BMD-3, BMD-2, BMD-6, EIF-4E and SG6. The similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.33 to 0.80 and the highest similarity coefficient amongst 10 genotypes (0.80) was observed between WB-967 and WB-335, which was closely followed by (0.79) between WB-359 and WB-335, 0.77 (between WB-335 and WB-933) and the lowest similarity index (0.33) was observed between WB-967 and WB-933). Cluster analysis classified genotypes into 3 clusters with highest (4) number of genotypes in cluster I and cluster II and III had 3 genotypes each.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Molecular characterization of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes conferring stripe rust resistance
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2014) Shazia Mukhtar; Khan, Mohammad Anwar
    The fungal diseases of wheat are important production constraints in different wheat-growing environments (McIntosh, 1998). Among the three rust diseases, stripe or yellow rust of wheat caused by Puccinia striiformis is devastating foliar disease and is considered of immense importance in almost all the wheat growing parts of the world (Khan et al., 2012; Singh et al., 2014). Under severe conditions the average yield losses due to stripe rust are reported to be as high as upto 60 per cent in susceptible cultivars (McIntosh, 1998). The long term and economical strategy could be resistance breeding through deployment of effective rust resistance genes over space & time. Under such circumstances it has become imperative to identify and validate the germplasm for effective stripe rust resistance genes viz. Yr5, Yr10, Yr15 and Yr18. The wheat cultivation in Kashmir province of Jammu and Kashmir was limited to hilly areas till the year 2000. However following the introduction of variety HS-240 and later the cultivars Shalimar Wheat-1 and Shalimar Wheat-2 released by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir has extended the area under wheat in this region. The outbreak of stripe rust in temperate areas of Jammu and Kashmir state is a matter of great concern owing to the fact that the rust inoculum generated in these areas may act as a reservoir of inoculum for rust initiation in North-West Plain Zone of the country. Therefore, there is urgent need to curtail this rust in Kashmir and Ladakh regions of Jammu and Kashmir State on priority basis so that the same may not spread to food bowl of the country viz., north western plain zone which is a great threat to the National Food Security Mission (NFSM). With this background information the present study was undertaken to screen the wheat germplasm for identifying stripe rust resistant genotypes and then validate already known and internationally effective resistance genes viz., Yr5, Yr10, Yr15 and Yr18 at molecular level. In total, 39 wheat genotypes were collected from different sources, planted in ran domised complete block design with two replicates for screening in both field and green house conditions for stripe rust resistance at Regional Research Station, Wadura (SKUAST-Kashmir). The university released cultivar Shalimar Wheat-1 was used as susceptible control. The genotypes were categorized into resistant and susceptible types based on their infection types developed and disease severity achieved. The resistant genotypes were validated for effective stripe rust resistance genes using associated markers. The internationally effective stripe rust resistance genes Yr5, Yr10, Yr15 and Yr18 were molecularly validated and found responsible in imparting resistant phenotypes in many cultivars. The gene Yr5 was detected in fourteen entries, Yr10 in seventeen entries, Yr15 in twenty-five entries and Yr18 in nine entries including reference lines when the susceptible control did not amplify any of the resistance genes used in the study. Single gene based resistance was detected in nine entries, two gene based resistance was detected in twenty cultivars, three gene based resistance was detected in eight cultivars and all four gene based resistance was detected in one cultivar (HPW-42). Such validation information is valuable and could be shared with other concerned centers in the country. As the cultivar HPW42 was the only entry validating all four resistance genes, this suggests the cultivar is a gold mine of effective stripe rust resistance genes and thus, can efficiently be used in devising future breeding strategies in building a long lasting defense against this fungus.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Morpho-molecular characterization of promising inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.)
    (SKUAST Kashmir, 2014) Muntazir Mushtaq; Bhat, M. Ashraf
    The present investigation entitled “Morpho-molecular Characterization of promising inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.)” was carried out to generate information on genetic divergence of inbred lines of maize suited to both high altitude and plain areas. The genotypes including promising inbred lines from Dry land (Karewa) Agriculture Research Station, Budgam, High Altitude Maize Research, Sub-Station Sagam, Anantnag and from CIMMYT, Mexico. The experimental material for was laid out at the experimental area of the Dryland (Karewa) Agriculture Research Station, Budgam and Centre for Plant Biotechnology, Division of Biotechnology Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, J&K. Molecular marker analysis was carried out in Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre for Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar during Kharief 2013-14. Ten SSR markers were utilized to characterize and assess genetic diversity of 20 genotypes of maize. All these markers used revealed distinct polymorphism among the genotypes studied indicating the robust nature of microsatellite markers in revealing polymorphism. Highest Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) value (0.77) was observed in primer phi064 (0.77) followed by phi006 (0.71) which indicates that these primers can be very efficiently utilized in the estimation of genetic diversity using SSR markers. The PIC value ranged from 0.29 (phi109118) to 0.77 (phi064) with a mean value of 0.637.Highest EMR (36) was observed in primer phi022 and lowest (5.26) in primer phi109188. The potential heterotic inbred lines of Shalimar Maize Hybrid-1 (KDM-332A and KDM-895A) got clustered in separate clusters (IV and I) using SSR markers and exhibited a genetic distance of 0.53 indicating their diverse nature. Highest percentage of polymorphism (36.0%) was obtained in SSR primer phi022 and lowest (5.26) was observed in phi109188. All the 20 genotypes got clustered in five clusters maximum number of genotypes (7) in cluster III, followed by cluster I (6). The morphological data was recorded on ten competitive plants or on plot basis for all the inbred lines on Days to 50 per cent pollen shed, Days to 50 per cent silking, Plant height (cm), Ear height (cm), Ear length (cm), Ear girth (cm), Shelling percentage, 1000 kernel weight (g), Grain yield per plant (g) and Grain yield ha-1. Anova revealed that the location (environment) selected for evaluation of the materials had significant effect on the expression of all the traits. The genotypes tested expressed significant variability for all the traits. The estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation were observed to be higher in magnitude than the corresponding estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation. Estimates of heritability (broad sense) were high for all the traits. Genetic advance was estimated at 5% of selection intensity and converted into expected genetic gain (% cent of mean). Correlation coefficients were estimated at the phenotypic and genotypic levels among yield and yield component traits. Genotypic correlation coefficients, were by and large, higher in magnitude, though similar in direction than their corresponding correlation coefficients at phenotypic level. Grain yield per plant exhibited positive and significant correlation with plant height(cm), days to 50% pollen shed, days to 50% silking, ear height (cm), ear length (cm) and 100 grain weight at both levels but with ear girth (cm) exhibited positive and significant correlation at genotypic level only. Genetic divergence was estimated in 20 maize genotypes based on their performance and were grouped into four clusters as per Mahalanobis D2 analysis employing Tocher’s method. The genotypes got clustered into 4 different clusters. Almost all the genotypes of high altitude (extra early) and low-mid altitude (early) got grouped together in two different clusters (viz. clusters I and II). The percent contribution of the trait towards the total divergence revealed that grain yield ha-1 was the main factor contributing to total divergence accounting (44.74%). 10 SSR markers were utilized to characterize and assess genetic diversity of 20 genotypes of maize. All these markers used revealed distinct polymorphism among the genotypes studied indicating the robust nature microsatellite markers in revealing polymorphism.