Thumbnail Image

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa

In the imperial Gazetteer of India 1878, Pusa was recorded as a government estate of about 1350 acres in Darbhanba. It was acquired by East India Company for running a stud farm to supply better breed of horses mainly for the army. Frequent incidence of glanders disease (swelling of glands), mostly affecting the valuable imported bloodstock made the civil veterinary department to shift the entire stock out of Pusa. A British tobacco concern Beg Sutherland & co. got the estate on lease but it also left in 1897 abandoning the government estate of Pusa. Lord Mayo, The Viceroy and Governor General, had been repeatedly trying to get through his proposal for setting up a directorate general of Agriculture that would take care of the soil and its productivity, formulate newer techniques of cultivation, improve the quality of seeds and livestock and also arrange for imparting agricultural education. The government of India had invited a British expert. Dr. J. A. Voelcker who had submitted as report on the development of Indian agriculture. As a follow-up action, three experts in different fields were appointed for the first time during 1885 to 1895 namely, agricultural chemist (Dr. J. W. Leafer), cryptogamic botanist (Dr. R. A. Butler) and entomologist (Dr. H. Maxwell Lefroy) with headquarters at Dehradun (U.P.) in the forest Research Institute complex. Surprisingly, until now Pusa, which was destined to become the centre of agricultural revolution in the country, was lying as before an abandoned government estate. In 1898. Lord Curzon took over as the viceroy. A widely traveled person and an administrator, he salvaged out the earlier proposal and got London’s approval for the appointment of the inspector General of Agriculture to which the first incumbent Mr. J. Mollison (Dy. Director of Agriculture, Bombay) joined in 1901 with headquarters at Nagpur The then government of Bengal had mooted in 1902 a proposal to the centre for setting up a model cattle farm for improving the dilapidated condition of the livestock at Pusa estate where plenty of land, water and feed would be available, and with Mr. Mollison’s support this was accepted in principle. Around Pusa, there were many British planters and also an indigo research centre Dalsing Sarai (near Pusa). Mr. Mollison’s visits to this mini British kingdom and his strong recommendations. In favour of Pusa as the most ideal place for the Bengal government project obviously caught the attention for the viceroy.

Browse

20146
Reset filters
Subject: Agricultural Biotechnology × End date: 2014 × Start date: 2014 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Assessment of variability among the isolates of Bipolarissorokiniana
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Verma, Suneel Kumar; Chaudhary, V. K.
    Assessment of variability was carried on 32 isolates of Bipolarissorokiniana. These isolates were grouped in five categories, i.e. black, brown, grey, greenish grey and white on the basis of colony colour. Greenish grey group had maximum frequency (31.25), while the brown isolates displayed the lowest frequency (6.25) in natural population. Radial growth at 10th day on PDA media was maximum in RAU-GTL-34 (40.66mm) having cottony growth pattern and dull white with rings like marking, while minimum was recorded for RAU-GTL-35 (25.0mm) having suppressed blackish grey with whitish fluffy region. Pathogenicity and aggressiveness test were carried out on two wheat varieties namely,Sonalika (susceptible) and Chirya-3 (resistant). Pathogenicity test was conducted by test tube cotton swab method. The mean pathogenicity value showed that isolates were more pathogenic on Sonalika (3.7) than Chirya-3 (2.5). The isolates were categorized into five virulent groups on the basis of pathogenic value i.e. non-virulent, slightly virulent, moderately virulent, virulent and highly virulent. Colony colour and level of exudations were also observed to be related with level of pathogenicity and aggressiveness. Area under disease progress curve of isolates on Chirya-3 varied from 198.77 (white group) to 730.25 (black group) in both natural and polyhouse condition, while for Sonalika it varied from 458.02 (white group) to 1343.83 (black group) in natural condition, whereas from 458.02 (white group) to 1374.07 (black group) in polyhouse condition. Fungus specific primer CosA_F/R identified all isolates as B. sorokiniana. Two ITS primers gave a total of 22 alleles out of which 12 were monomorphic and 10 were polymorphic with an average of 11 alleles per locus. The PIC values varied from 0.884 to 0.915 with an average of 0.889. Cluster analysis of PCR products using the UPGMA method, based on Dice coefficients with 20 similarity unit, clustered eighteen fungal isolates into six groups. PCR-RFLP analysis gave a total 66 alleles out of which 30 unique alleles and 36 shared alleles with an average of 7.3 alleles per locus in both the region. The PIC values varied from 0.331 (ITS-2 and Hinf-I) to 0.809 (ITS-2 and HindIII). Cluster analysis of PCR-RFLP data using the UPGMA method, based on Dice coefficients with 25 similarity unit, clustered eighteen fungal isolates into four groups. Pair-wise genetic similarity (GSDice) coefficient widely varied from 0.54 to 1.0 indicating similarity among the isolates.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic Diversity Assessment In Aromatic Rice Using Microsatellite Markers
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Shaheewala, Heena; Shahi, V. K.
    A study was conducted to examine the genetic diversity in eighteen entries, landraces and advanced breeding lines from aromatic rice germplasm in order to characterize them on the basis of simple sequence length polymorphism and to determine the nature and extent of differentiation and divergence among them using eighteen microsatellite based primer pairs. The materials were grown in petriplates for extraction of genomic DNA from the young seedlings and then targeted amplification of the genomic DNA using a panel of eighteen microsatellite based primer pairs covering six chromosomes in the genome of rice. All molecular studies were conducted in the Molecular Biology Laboratory at Pusa. The statistical methods and parameters used for deriving inference were polymorphism information content, similarity coefficient and numerical taxonomic analysis of divergence. The amplification was successfully achieved with all the microsatellite primers used in the present study. Appearance of bands at different positions on the gel revealed differential migration of amplified products due to differences in overall size of the products generated from targeted amplification of specific region of genome. The polymorphism among the varieties was recognized on the basis of presence or absence of bands, in addition to variation in respect of number and position of bands. Altogether 180 allelic variants were detected among the eighteen rice entries with an average of 7.2 alleles per locus. The number of alleles per locus ranged from six in the cases of RM 256 and RM 284 to nineteen in the case of RM 42. The primer pairs RM 42, RM 44, RM 223, RM 225, RM 252, RM 330 and RM 505 generated amplified products due to amplification of more than one locus. A total of 89 shared and 91 unique allelic variants were generated in the form of amplified products by polymerase chain reaction using eighteen primer pairs. The number of shared alleles per locus ranged from two out of eleven alleles in the case of RM 444 to nine out of thirteen alleles in RM 44. Similarly, the number of unique alleles per locus ranged from two out of five in the case of RM 16, two out of nine in RM 225, two out of six in RM 284 and two out of eight alleles in the case of RM 426 to fourteen out of nineteen alleles in the case of RM 42. The primer pairs RM 444, RM 42, RM 72, RM 80, RM 13, RM 330, RM 223, RM 505, RM 252 and RM 256 generated considerably greater percentage of unique alleles in descending order of magnitude. Among the primers tested, RM 42, RM 72, RM 80, RM 223, RM 252 and RM 444 appeared to be more informative primers. A direct relationship was observed between the repeat number involved in the microsatellite based simple sequence repeat locus and the number of identified alleles. In general, the larger the repeat number involved in the di-nucleotide microsatellite locus, the larger was the number of identified alleles. The microsatellite based SSR locus associated with RM 13, RM 80, RM 337, RM 339, RM 426, RM 444 and RM 505 exhibited null alleles ranging from one to three in the entries under evaluation. Occurrence of null alleles for a particular repeat locus was noticed reflecting failure of locus specific microsatellite based primer directed generation of amplified products. The primer pairs RM 42, RM 44, RM 223, RM 225, RM 252, RM 330 and RM 505 generated amplified products due to amplification of more than one locus. Appearance of more than one band in the same genotype was noticed revealing the existence of the duplicated region in the genome of rice. Considerably greater extent of variation existed at the molecular level with maximum similarity between Champaran basmati and Sanwal basmati among the aromatic rice entries under evaluation in the present study. The microsatellite primer based analysis revealed unique or variety specific allele which could be useful as DNA fingerprints in the identification and preservation of rice entries. The use of eighteen microsatellite markers in the analysis exhibited a remarkably higher level of genetic polymorphism, which allowed unique and unambiguous genotyping of eighteen aromatic rice genotypes included in the analysis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    In vitro Screening and Induction of Salt Tolerance in Rice
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Kumari, Rima; Kumar, Harsh
    Six selected cultivars of rice namely BPT-5204, MTU-7029, Narendra Usar Dhan-3, Rajendra Bhagwati, CSR-30 and Pusa Basmati-1 were screened for salinity tolerance on the basis of seed germination in vivo and in vitro, seedling growth and callus growth under different salt stress (0-2.5%) created by a salt mixture of NaCl, CaCl2, Na2SO4 in 7:2:1 ratio. Cultivars CSR-30 and Narendra Usar Dhan-3 were found to be the most salt tolerant, cvs. MTU-7029 and BPT-5204 to be moderately tolerant and cvs. Rajendra Bhagwati and Pusa Basmati-1 were found to be salt sensitive respectively. The formation of callus and their continued growth at higher levels of salt stress indicated the induction and formation of salt tolerant cells and calluses. The cultivars of rice, their normal calluses and salt tolerant calluses were further screened by 14 salt tolerance linked SSR primer pairs for evaluation of their salt tolerance and for detection of induced salt tolerant callus. On the basis of SSR marker, cultivars CSR-30 and Narendra Usar Dhan-3 can be considered as salt tolerant while cv. Pusa Basmati-1 can be considered as salt sensitive. The other three cvs. MTU-7029, BPT-5204 and Rajendra Bhagwati can be considered as moderately salt tolerant. Molecular marker studies also confirmed induction of salt tolerant calluses in cvs. MTU-7029, Rajendra Bhagwati and BPT-5204.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Molecular Characterization of Aerobic Rice Genotypes Using Microsatellite Markers
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Kumari, Puja; Sharma, V. K.
    study was undertaken to evaluate the nature of microsatellite sites based simple sequence length polymorphism in eighteen aerobic rice entries in order to characterize them on the basis of simple sequence length polymorphism and to determine the nature and extent of genetic differentiation and diversity among them using twenty six microsatellite primer pairs. The statistical methods and parameters used for deriving inference were polymorphism percent, polymorphism information content, discrimination and non-discrimination coefficient, similarity coefficient and numerical taxonomic analysis of divergence. The amplification was successfully achieved with all the microsatellite primer pairs used in the present study. Altogether 225 allelic variants were detected at 33 microsatellite loci with an average of 6.81 alleles per locus. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five in the case of RM 524 to thirteen in the case of RM 538. A total of 110 shared and 115 unique allelic variants were generated in the form of amplified products by using the 26 primer pairs. The primer pairs RM 538, RM 591, RM 263, RM 335, RM 234, RM 5359, RM 3530, RM 3873, RM461, RM 510, RM 219, RM 332, RM 280, RM 7003 and RM 407 generated considerably higher percentage of unique alleles, clearly reflecting higher polymorphism percentage which was exhibited by these primer pairs in combinations with the entries under evaluation. The microsatellite locus associated with primer pairs RM 280, RM 3873, RM 114 and RM591 showed null alleles in some of the entries under evaluation. Occurrence of null alleles for a particular repeat locus was noticed reflecting thereby the failure of locus specific microsatellite primer directed generation of amplified products. While the primer pairs RM 3873, RM 3530, RM 263, RM 234, RM 407, RM 201 and RM 337 generated amplified products due to amplification of more than one microsatellite locus in combination with one to twelve entries under evaluation. Appearance of more than one band in the same entry was noticed revealing the existence of duplicated regions in the genome of rice. The estimates of polymorphism information content values for the primer pairs varied from 0.607 in the case of RM 407 to 0.913 in the case of RM 591 with an average value of 0.795 per primer pairs. The primer pairs RM538, RM 5359, RM 263, RM 337, RM 591, RM 224, RM 153, RM 3530, RM 332, RM 335and RM 219 appeared to be more informative amongst the primer pairs used for the purpose of molecular characterization of aerobic rice entries under evaluation. The estimates of discrimination coefficient ranged from 0.647 in the case of primer pair RM 407 to 0.960 in the case of primer pair RM 591. Considerably greater magnitude of discrimination coefficient was obtained in the case of primer pairs RM 591, RM 5359, RM 538, RM 263, RM 335, RM 153, RM 337, RM 224, RM 3530, RM 114, RM 60 and RM 332 in descending order of magnitude. The discrimination coefficient for a primer pair revealed its ability to discriminate the pair-wise combinations of the entries evaluated during the present investigation. The microsatellite loci with di- nucleotide, tri- nucleotide and complex repeat motifs tended to detect greater number of alleles than the repeat loci with tetra-nucleotide repeat motifs. The results did not indicate a direct relationship between the repeat number involved in the microsatellite locus with di-nucleotide repeat motif and the number of identified alleles. An analysis of allelic diversity data using similarity coefficient based sequential agglomerative hierarchical non-overlapping clustering module indicated that the aerobic rice entries AER-05 and AER-06 were relatively more closely related with the highest similarity coefficient amongst eighteen aerobic rice entries evaluated. The microsatellite marker based analysis revealed unique or entry specific allele which could be useful as DNA fingerprints in the identification and preservation of these aerobic rice entries. The use of twenty six microsatellite markers in the analysis exhibited a remarkably higher level of genetic polymorphism, which allowed unique and unambiguous genotyping of eighteen entries included in the analysis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on fidelity of wheat crosses using morphological and molecular markers.
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Kumari, Priyanka; Chaudhary, V. K.
    The present investigation pertaining to the hybrid identification in Triticum aestivum L. through morphological and molecular marker (SSR) analysis was conducted on eleven wheat genotypes (parental lines) and their eleven F1 hybrids. The heterotic effects in F1 hybrids were evaluated to investigate their performance and relationship with their parents for twelve morphological characters plant height, peduncle length, grain filling duration, number of effective tillers per plant, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield per plant, canopy temperature, chlorophyll content and days to flowering. Highly significant genetic variability was present in parents and their cross combinations for the characters. The degree and direction of heterosis varied for different characters and for different hybrids. Cross PBW343 x Raj3765 exhibited significant heterosis and heterobeltiosis for maximum number of characters, i.e., eight out of 12, whereas PBW343 x DBW14 exhibited for minimum number of characters, i.e., two out of 12. Genomic DNA extracted from F1 hybrids and their parental lines were subjected to amplification profiling with twelve pairs of SSR primers which were identified based on the previous studies conducted on molecular characterisation of wheat genotypes in the Genetic Transformation Laboratory of RAU, Pusa for hybrid authentication. Outof 12 SSR markers used for assessment and authentication of 11 hybrids, 5 markers could clearly distinguish the respective hybrids. Marker Xgwm533 was able to clearly distinguish the maximum number of hybrids viz., PBW343 x Raj3765, PBW343 x Ipecarabea, Youngmai6 x Raj3765, Youngmai6 x C306, PBW343 x HI1563 and HI1563 x PBW343. It generated hybrid specific bands for the crosses Youngmai6 x Raj3765 and Youngmai6 x C306, whereas marker Wmc175 was able to authenticate only one cross, PBW343 x HD2733. The remaining three markers e.g., Wmc611, Xgwm265 and Xgwm413 were able to authenticate two crosses each, viz., PBW343 x Ipecarabea and PBW343 x chiriya3; PBW343 x DBW14 and PBW343 x Cuo/79/Purulla; Youngmai6 x Raj3765 and Youngmai6 x C306 respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that SSR markers are excellent genomic tools for parentage confirmation and hybridity determination, and would also enhance efficiency of wheat breeding programmes through marker assisted selection since it is more accurate and not effected by environment when compared with GOT.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on doubled haploid generation in wheat
    (Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2014) Kumari, Nitu; Kumar, Rajeev
    Production of haploid has significant value as genetic and breeding tool for crop improvement. The prime goal of haploid production is to achieve instant homozygosity through production of double haploids by chromosome doubling. Pure breeding lines can be developed rapidly using this technique. Haploids can be formed either by anther and pollen culture through androgenesis or by wide hybridization crosses followed by chromosome elimination from one parent through hybrid embryo culture. The production of wheat haploids through androgenesis and from the intergeneric hybridization of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with maize (Zea mays L.) has been exploited to rapidly achieve homozygosity in wheat breeding programs with the later method showing better results. Culture of rescued embryos from wheat x maize cross resulted in callus formation and development of haploid plant. Anther and pollen culture of wheat parent resulted in development of callus and embryo like structures. The effects of pollination time, the type of hormone treatment of the spike and the method of hormone treatment on rescued embryo were evaluated. The effect of medium and genotype of the wheat parent on rescued embryo culture was observed. Similarly in anther culture the effect of genotype was assessed. Further, SSR marker technique was used for the identification of wheat F1 hybrids along with its parental lines and their haploid rescued through embryo culture of wheat x maize, and it was proved that this technique can be successfully applied to distinguish and identify the hybrids from their parental lines and the haploid of the hybrid.