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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.
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ThesisItem Open Access Genetic studies of high temperature tolerance in early sown Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.](Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Anushree; Pandey, AnilThe present investigation entitled “Genetic studies of high temperature tolerance in early sown Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.]” was carried out with 35 Indian mustard genotypes including two checks (Pusa Mahak and Pusa Mustard-25) from AICRP-RM centres located around India. These genotypes, under laboratory condition, were evaluated for seven physiological characters under three temperature stresses (25, 30 & 35oC) at germination for selection of three thermotolerant sources to be used as testers (Line x Tester Design). Same 35 genotypes, under field trial, were evaluated in RCBD with three replications at Research Farm of TCA, Dholi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar for 21 morpho-physiological-quality attributes (including 4 traits at two phenological stages; pre-flowering (30 DAS), and post flowering (60 DAS) for variability and diversity studies under early sown (06.10.2014) conditions at 32.20C temperature during Rabi 2014-15. Three thermo tolerant testers crossed with seven lines to get 21 crosses and these 31 genotypes (21 crosses i.e F1s + 7 lines + 3 testers) were evaluated in RCBD with three replications for same set of traits during Rabi 2015-16 for line x tester analysis under early sown (05.10.2015 at 35.10C temperature) conditions for combining ability and heterosis studies. Best thermo-tolerant genotypes reflecting superiority in physiological traits at germination upto 35oC in Lab. Experiment were RAURD-78 (EL, RL, SL, SDW and VI); NDRE-7 (EL, RL, RSR and VI) and TPM-1 (EL, RL & RSR). High GCV, PCV, heritability in broad sense coupled with high genetic advance under selection at 25, 30 & 35 0C was reflected by RSR, SDW and EL whereas, in field experiment by LAI & SDW (30 & 60 DAS), CGR, SB/pl and HI thus indicating preponderance of additive gene action which could be effectively utilized by Brassica breeders. NRC-DR-2, RAURD-78 and Pusa Mahak (Oligogenotypic clusters) alongwith TPM-1 and NDRE-7, based on physiological traits at germination; whereas DRMR-150-35, TPM-1 (Oligogenotypic clusters) along with Rajendra Sufalam, RAURD-78, KMR-10-2 and Pusa Mahak (morpho-physio-quality traits field evaluation trial) were promising divergent genotypes, reflected overall usefulness of Pusa Mahak, RAURD-78 and TPM-1 with superior per se performance for EL, HI , DPM-Early and DME (TPM-1; VI, SDW at 30 DAS, RL and LAI ( RAURD-78 and EL, SDW at 30 DAS and OC (NDRE-7) further validated their performance as thermotolerant parents utilized in hybridization. High yielding, divergent genotypes with superiority in many component traits were DRMR-150-35, Rajendra Sufalm, PM-28, NDRE-4 and Pusa Mahak, out of which DRMR-150-35, Rajendra Sufalam and Pusa Mahak were most suitable from divergence studies further proved their genetic worth. SDW, EL and RSR (25, 30, 35oC) at germination stage and HI followed by SS, DPM & LPMA (field trial) reflected maximum contribution towards total divergence. There was no parallelism between genetic diversity and their geographical distribution and sizeable number of morpho-physiological-quality traits at different phenological stages (germination, pre-flowering at 30 DAS & post flowering 60 DAS) highly influenced the group constellation of 35 Indian mustard genotypes. The cross between genotypes of cluster II x VI, IV x V, V x VI and III x IV (lab. evaluation) whereas, V x VII, VI x VII (Field Evaluation) were expectedly more divergent based on their inter-cluster distance. Interestingly crosses attempted in L x T design, namely RH-30/TPM-1 (cross no. 4), Varuna/TPM-1 (cross no. 16) and PM-25/TPM-1 (cross no. 19) were also among divergent combinations (both Lab & Field D2 set basis) further validated their importance. Positive, significant association coupled with high positive direct effect of DPM, HI & SB/pl revealed the importance of these traits while selecting for high temperature tolerance under early sown Indian mustard. Most reliable and yield predictor characters were SB/pl and HI as they also reflected high heritability coupled with high genetic advance under selection. The best general combiners, on the basis of GCA and per se performance were NRC-DR-2 (SLW at 30 DAS, CC at 60 DAS and LAI at 30 DAS), RH-30 (SLW at 60 DAS and PB/pl), Rajendra Sufalam (SLW at 60 DAS and 1000 SW), NDRE-7 (Early DFFO & DPM), TPM-1 (SS) and RAURD-78 (PB/Pl). The crosses based on SCA, standard heterosis (SH) and per se performance, namely RH-30/RAURD-78, Rajendra Sufalam/NDRE-7, PM-25/RAURD-78 and RH-8814/TPM-1 were ranked as top yielders. The crosses RH-30/RAURD-78, involving both good (HxH) general combiners might be useful in heterosis breeding. The crosses involving HxL or LxH general combiners, namely Rajendra Sufalm/NDRE-7, and PM-25/RAURD-78 may throw desirable segregants and effectively utilized in transgressive breeding programme. Thus, the present study reflects the usefulness of RAURD-78, NDRE-7 and TPM-1 as good source of thermotolerance for early sown mustard as well as divergent genotypes and good general combiners for 1000 SW, Early DFFO & DPM and SS (both high GCA and per se basis) respectively. Four best economic crosses for SY/pl were RH-30/RAURD-78, Rajendra Sufalam/NDRE-7, PM-25/RAURD-78 and RH-8814/TPM-1 also reflected superior economic heterosis for SLW (60 DAS), CGR, PH (60 DAS) tall, PB/Pl & SB/Pl in all these crosses alongwith individually superior economic heterosis for PH (30 DAS), DFFO (late), DPM (late), DME & SOMS (RH-30/RAURD-78), 1000 SW & OC (Rajendra Sufalam/NDRE-7); DPM late (PM-25/RAURD-78 and RH-8814/TPM-1). These superior economic heterotic F1s significantly out yielding in yield alongwtih above mentioned morpho-physiological and quality attributes may subsequently be utilized in future breeding endeavours. Amongst all the morpho-physio-quality characters (lab. & field trails) harvest index proven its merit as most important character which contributed maximum towards total divergence, significant positive association and high positive direct effect toward yield alongwith high h2 (bs) and high GAM was most important determinant and yield predictor for the thermo-tolerant mustard genetic enhancement under early sown conditions.ThesisItem Open Access Study of chemically induced variation in Agro-morphological characters of wheat under heat stress(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Bharati, Suraj Prakash; Kant, RaviThe present study was under taken with five plant growth regulating hormonesviz., Glycine betaine (600PPM) (T2), Salicylic acid (800PPM) (T3), Salicylic acid (400 PPM) (T4), Ascorbic acid (10 PPM)(T5), Tocopherol (150 PPM) (T6) and control (T1) on two varieties HD-2733 (normal sown condition) and HD-2985 (late sown condition) with objective to access induced variation and differential influence created on fifteen agro-morphological traits including yield and seed quality attributes. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among entries in respect of all the agro-morphological traits under study in both conditions i.e. normal and late sown except for number of tiller per plant in late sown condition. Studies of mean performance under normal sown condition revealed that a wide range of variation was induced due to effect of treatment under normal sown condition and underdelayed sown conditionfor all agro-morphological traits under study. Significant positive correlation of grain yield per plant was obtained with number of tillers per plant, 1000 grain weight, harvest index, and seed germination per cent under normal sown condition whereas for plant height, 1000 grain weight and harvest index under delayed condition. Study of cause and effect analysis under normal sown condition also revealed that grain yield per plant is positive correlation associated with number of tiller per plant, pollen fertility per cent, spikelet fertility per cent, number of grain per ear whereas under delayed sown condition it was also positive correlation associated with days to flowering, pollen fertility per cent, flag leaf area, number of grain per ear, 1000 grain weight, harvest index and vigour index. The regression of seed yield on fifteen agro-morphological traits viz., days to maturity, pollen fertility per cent, spikelet fertility per cent, number of tiller per plant, ear length, 1000 grain weight, harvest index, seed germination per cent and viability per cent recorded maximum values of R2 (0.9393) under normal sown condition, while under delayed sown condition, the traits like, days to flowering, days to maturity, number of grain per ear,1000 grain weight, harvest index and viability per cent recorded maximum values of R2 (0.9035). Hence, selection based on these characters would be more effective for yield improvement. Treatment T2 i.e., Glycine betaine (600 PPM), showed significant effect on highest grain yield per plant via, different agro-morphological character mentioned above for normal and delayed sown condition. Yield enhancement due to effect of Treatment T2 Glycine betaine (600 PPM) was recorded 41.30% higher under normal sown condition whereas 44.92% higher under late sown condition in comparison to control. On seed quality traits also showed significant positive effect of Treatment T2 Glycine betaine (600 PPM) was observed for seed germination per cent and viability per cent and no effect on vigour index of seed under both normal and delayed sown condition.ThesisItem Open Access Hetoric grouping for photo-thermal response in relation to yield and yield attributes in green gram (vigna radiata L. Wilczek)”(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumar, Chandan; Mishra, S. B.The present investigation in green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) was undertaken with a view to examine the extent of heterosis and to elucidate the combining ability effects of parents and their hybrids using half diallel (excluding reciprocal) mating design. The initial experimental materials consisted of forty genotypes selected from different sources. Based on morpho-physiological traits and agro-meteorological indices, six diverse parents exhibiting differential response to heat stress were selected and their fifteen crosses were evaluated in randomised block design for terminal heat stress during summer, 2016 at Research Farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Muzaffarpur. Analysis of variance of forty genotypes for the first season clearly indicated that, there were highly significant difference among the genotypes for all the traits studied. The range of difference in mean value was comparatively wide for almost all the morpho-physiological traits and agro-meteorological indices showed greater extent of variability among the genotypes for these traits. Heat use efficiency (HUE) showed significant and positive association with seed yield (SY) and indicated that their effective utilization for screening of heat tolerant lines in green gram. Most of the characters were mutually and significantly correlated with each other and these characters must be considered to enhance their yield potential and selection for terminal heat tolerant genotypes in green gram. Regression analysis revealed that the traits like, photo thermal index (PTI) and heat use efficiency (HUE) recorded maximum values of R2. The step-down regression analysis showed 93.30 per cent adjusted R2 indicating the sufficient variation possessed by these traits/indices. Based on index score two tolerant genotypes from index IV (Pusa Baisakhi and SML-668), two moderately tolerant genotypes from index XV (NDM-12-308 and Pusa Vishal) and two susceptible genotypes from index X (IPM-99-01-10 and Pusa-1231) were selected as diverse parents with Samrat as heat tolerant check and were used in crossing programme. Analysis of variance for parents and hybrids showed highly significant mean sum of square due to genotypes for all the characters. It indicated existence of significant difference among the genotypes for the characters studied. An examination of per se performance of parents and crosses revealed that parents viz., Pusa Baisakhi, SML-668, NDM-12-308 and Pusa Vishal had exhibited high mean performance for seed yield and other yield attributes. The analysis of variance for combining ability showed that gca and sca variances were highly significant for most of the characters. The ratio of σ 2g/σ 2s revealed that all the characters manifested less than unity which indicated preponderance of non-additive genetic effect for inheritance of these characters. The estimates of general combining ability suggested that parents Pusa Baisakhi and SML-668 were good general combiner for seed yield and yield attributes. As regards to specific crosses combinations Pusa Baisakhi X IPM-99-01-10, Pusa Vishal X IPM-99-01-10, Pusa Baisakhi X SML-668 and Pusa Baisakhi X Pusa Vishal recorded high per se performance along with significant sca effects. These crosses also exhibited highly significant standard heterosis for seed yield and its component traits which may be utilized for further breeding programme. Based on parental diversity and heterotic response the parents separated by high genetic distance (D2) showed high heterobeltiosis in their hybrid combinations. However, the parents separated by medium to low genetic distance exhibited medium to low heterobeltiosis for seed yield. So for planning future breeding programme for higher seed yield under terminal heat stress in green gram, diverse parents should be taken into consideration.ThesisItem Open Access Heterosis and combining ability study in rice genotypes under drought condition(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumar, Santosh; Singh, N. K.Realizing the potential of hybrid rice to increase productivity, the present study entitled “Heterosis and Combining Ability study in rice genotypes under drought condition” was carried to generate information regarding combining ability, gene action, heterosis for yield and yield attributing traits. The experimental material comprised of a half diallel cross, excluding reciprocals. 45 single crosses were generated in Kharif 2015 by intermating the ten parents in all possible combinations excluding reciprocals. All the crosses and parents including check (Sahbhagi dhan) were evaluated for various agronomic traits at the Experimental Farm of DRPCAU, PUSA during Kharif, 2016. The experimental design used was randomized complete block design with three replications. The observations were recorded on 15 morpho-agronomical traits viz. days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, chlorophyll content, tillers per plant, leaf rolling at vegetative stage, leaf drying at vegetative stage, relative water content, panicle length, recovery per cent after stress, root length, root volume, grains per panicle, 1000- grain weight, harvest index and grain yield per plant. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied. The variance due to GCA and SCA was found significant for all the traits revealing that both additive and non-additive gene effects were important in the inheritance of these traits. The estimate of dominance variance (σˆ2D) was higher than their corresponding additive genetic variance (σˆ2A ) for most of the traits, However, both additive and non-additive genetic components were found equally important. None of the parents showed significant GCA effects in the desired direction simultaneously for all the traits studied. However, based on significant positive GCA effects for grain yield and components traits analysis RAU1421-12-1-7-3, IR87707-182-B-B-B and Sahbhagi dhan were found most promising. For grain yield per plant, fifteen hybrid combinations had positive significant SCA effects. All these cross combinations were observed to have significant SCA effects for most of yield component traits. For grain yield per plant five promising crosses namely Vandana X Richharia, RAU-1415-35-76-9-5-3-4 X Dhanlaxmi, RAU 1451-66-1-1-5-1 X Vandana, IR87707-182-B-B-B X Dhanlaxmi and RAU-1415-35-76-9-5-3-4 X IR87707-182-B-B-B under drought condition involved predominantly poor x average, poor x poor, good x poor and good average combiners. Correspondence between SCA effects and per se performance was recorded for most of the traits. Average degree of dominance was in over dominance range for most of the characters. The estimate of heritability (narrow sense) was recorded low in this experiment. Significant and desirable heterotic effects were observed for most of the characters studied. Maximum standard heterosis for grain yield Per Plant was registered by IR87707-182-B-B-B X Sahbhagi dhan fallowed by RAU-1415-35-76-9-5-3-4 X IR87707-182-B-B-B, IR 64 X Sahbhagi dhan and RAU 1421-12-1-7-3 X Sahbhagi dhan. Frequency of heterotic crosses and magnitude of heterosis for yield and its components were found to be higher in crosses between the parent with intermediate genetic distance than the extreme ones. The reason for this could have been linkage of alleles for biomass and yield. On the basis of mean performance, SCA effect and heterosis estimates, the cross combination namely, RAU 1451-66-1-1-5-1 X RAU-1415-35-76-9-5-3-4, RAU 1451-66-1-1-5-1 X Vandana, RAU-1415-35-76-9-5-3-4 X IR87707-182-B-B-B, RAU-1415-35-76-9-5-3-4 X Dhanlaxmi, RAU 1421-12-1-7-3 X Sahbhagi dhan, IR87707-182-B-B-B X Richharia and IR87707-182-B-B-B X Sahbhagi dhan were found suitable for higher grain yield.ThesisItem Open Access Divergence and association studies in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Ram, Jay Jay; Singh, U. K.In the present investigation thirty two sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes including two checks were evaluated to study genetic variability, genetic divergence, character association and path coefficient analysis. The experiment was laid out at Research Farm, Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi during spring 2015-16. Data were recorded on eleven quantitative characters. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters studied. On the basis of mean performance, the best performing genotypes were DRSF-113-2 for seed yield, oil yield, 100 seed weight, harvest index, head diameter and biological yield, the genotype GMU-456 for seed yield, oil yield and biological yield and the genotype IB-103 for seed yield, oil yield, 100 seed weight, harvest index, head diameter, biological yield, days to maturity, plant height and days to fifty per cent flowering over superior check. The traits like plant height, biological yield, head diameter, harvest index, 100 seed weight, oil yield and seed yield had showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Hence, direct selection can be done through these characters for future improvement of genotypes for higher yield. Correlation studies indicated that oil yield, oil content, 100 seed weight, harvest index, head diameter, biological yield, days to maturity plant height, days to fifty per cent flowering showed significant positive association with seed yield per plant at phenotypic and genotypic level. Hence, selection of these characters would bring in simultaneous improvement of other characters and also finally improvement in seed yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that oil yield, volume weight, 100 seed weight, head diameter, biological yield had positive direct effect on seed yield per plant. Hence, selection based on these characters would be more effective for yield improvement. The thirty two genotypes of sunflower were grouped into six cluster using Tocher method. The genotypes in cluster III and cluster IV, due to maximum inter cluster distance between them, exhibited high degree of genetic diversity and thus may be utilized under inter varietal hybridization programme (transgressive breeding) for getting high yielding recombinants. Similar inter varietal crosses may be attempted in cluster V and cluster VI and cluster III and cluster V. On the basis of cluster mean values, the genotypes present in cluster VI was found early in terms of days to fifty per cent flowering and having highest volume weight and oil content. Genotypes present in cluster V have maximum harvest index and 100 seed weight. Genotypes which are present in cluster III may be selected for minimum plant height and maximum biological yield while the genotypes present in cluster II was suitable for early in days to maturity. Based on cluster mean values for a given characters we can select highly divergent genotypes from the respective clusters and can be used in hybridization work.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic studies on early maturing Sugarcane for high Sucrose and Cane Yield.(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Ranjan, Relisha; Kumar, BalwantA study was conducted at Pusa Farm, Dr. RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar during spring season 2016-17 for genetic studies on early maturing sugarcane for high sucrose and cane yield. Investigation was carried out on variability, character association, path analysis and to identify the superior clones for high cane and sugar yield. Data were collected for twenty characters viz., germination percentage at 45 DAP, germination percentage at 90 DAP, number of shoots at 120 DAP (000/ha), number of shoots at 240 DAP (000/ha), plant height at 150 days (cm), plant height at 240 days (cm), plant height at harvest (cm), cane diameter at harvest (cm), fibre per cent at harvest, single cane weight (kg), number of millable cane at harvest (000/ha), brix per cent during 8 month stage, pol per cent during 8 months stage, purity per cent during 8 months stage, brix per cent during 10 month stage, pol per cent during 10 months stage, purity per cent during 10 months stage, cane yield (tonne/ha), CCS per cent at harvest and sugar yield (tonne/ha) at harvest. Sixteen genotypes were grown in Randomised Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the clones for all the characters under study. Maximum range was found for the character plant height at 150 days followed by plant height at 240 days and cane yield. The phenotypic coefficient of variance was greater than genotypic coefficient of variance for all the characters under study. The characters like cane yield, sugar yield, single cane weight, number of shoots at 120 DAP, cane diameter and germination percentage at 90 DAP showed high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean. Hence, direct selection can be done through these characters for future improvement of genotype. Characters like plant height at 150 days, plant height at 240 days, cane diameter, single cane weight, millable cane, plant height at harvest exhibited significant and positive association with cane yield. Characters namely, plant height at 150 days, plant height at 240 days cane diameter, cane weight, millable cane, plant height at harvest, brix per cent during 10 month stage, pol per cent during 10 month stage and CCS per cent showed significant and positive association with sugar yield. Strong positive and significant interrelationship was observed between cane yield and sugar yield as these characters had significant positive correlation with cane yield and sugar yield so, the selection can be practised for character in order to identify the superior clones for improvement of cane and low sugar yield in early maturing sugarcane. The characters viz., single cane weight and millable cane have to be given importance in selection process for improvement of cane and sugar yield, since they had positive correlation with sugar and cane yield and high positive direct effect towards cane and sugar yield. Maximum indirect effect was observed by single cane weight on cane yield via. plant height at 150 days and cane diameter at both genotypic and phenotypic level. Hence, selection based on these characters would be more effective. In order to make selection more effective, six characters were used in present investigation viz., selection based on per se performance of cane yield, sugar yield, single cane weight, cane diameter, germination percentage at 90 DAP, number of shoots at 120 DAP as these characters showed high heritability coupled with genetic advance as per of mean. Clones namely, CoP 15437, CoP 14436 and CoP 11437 can be utilised for improvement of cane and sugar yield in early maturing sugarcane.ThesisItem Open Access Genetic divergence in Chickpea(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumari, Romi; Singh, A. K.One hundred twenty chickpea genotypes including one check were evaluated to identify suitable genotypes of chickpea for input intensive agriculture and to study the analysis of variance, mean performance, Genetic variability, correlation coefficient, path analysis and genetic divergence. The data were recorded on eleven quantitative characters including total seed yield per plant. The mean data of five randomly taken plants were used for statistical analysis.Significant differences were observed among genotypes for all the characters suggesting that there is preponderance of variability among the material used for study. Very meger differences were observed between phenotypic coefficient of variance and genotypic coefficient of variance indicating that the expression of the characters are being govern by the genotype. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean recorded for the traits grain per pod, score of wilt incidence, pod borer infestation, hundred seed weight, harvest index, pod per plant and total seed yield indicating the presence of additive gene action. Hundred seed weight, exhibited positive and significant correlation with the total seed yield comprising the positive and high indirect effect of harvest index, where as harvest index also exhibited positive and significant correlation with total seed yield having their own positive and high direct effect. Hundred twenty chickpea genotypes were distributed in twelve clusters. Maximum number of genotypes (26) were present in cluster VI and minimum number of (3) genotypes present in cluster I and XI. Maximum and minimum inter cluster distance were obtain between V and XI and II and V were as maximum and minimum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster I and cluster XII.ThesisItem Open Access Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Maize inbreed Lines (Zea mays L.)(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Kumar, Shashi; Kumar, AjayA study was undertaken to characterize and evaluate eighteen locally adapted inbred lines of maize for various morphological characters, to investigate the SSR marker based polymorphism for characterization and differentiation of these maize inbred lines by using polymorphic and informative SSR markers and to estimate the extent of genetic diversity among these maize inbred lines using morphological and molecular characterization. The present investigation field research work was undertaken during kharif 2015 in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 3 replication having plot size of 1.5 x 4.0 = 6 m2 at TCA Dholi farm, Dr.R.P.C.A.U., Pusa, Samastipur, (Bihar) and molecular work was performed in the molecular breeding laboratory, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Dr. R.P.C.A.U., during kharif 2015. The characters studied were Days to 75% tasseling, Days to 75% silking, Days to 75% brown husk, Plant height(cm), Ear height(cm), Ear length(cm), Ear girth (cm), Number of kernel rows per ear, Number of kernels per row and Grain yield (Kg/ha). The Inbred lines were grown at TCA, Dholi Research Station farm for extraction of genomic DNA from the young seedlings. The morphological characterization include biometrical analysis namely, genetic variability, heritability (broad sense), genetic advance as per cent of mean, Character association analysis, Path analysis, genetic divergence using D2 statistic by Tocher’s method Similarly Molecular characterization of maize inbred lines involved: Extraction of genomic DNA, Quantification of genomic DNA, Amplification of genomic DNA, Separation of amplified DNA, Statistical analysis of molecular markers based data, Assessment of divergence based on molecular markers Scoring of bands using Quantity 1D analysis software of Biorad Inc., USA and Preparation of dendogram using NTSYS-pc version 2.0 software (Rohlf, 2000) with thirteen SSR Primers. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the inbred lines for all the parameters except Days to 75% tasseling, Days to 75% silking, Days to 75% brown husk and Ear girth. From the variability studies, high magnitude of GCV and was observed for Grain yield (Kg/ha) indicating the importance of these traits in evolution and selection of inbred lines for yield improvement under maize breeding programme. High heritability accompanied with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for ear girth, Number of kernels per row and grain yield (Kg/ha) indicating effectiveness of selection due to preponderance of additive gene action for these traits and direct selection may be effective for these traits. Correlation studies indicated that Days to 75% brown husk, Plant height (cm), Ear height (cm), Ear length (cm), Ear girth (cm), Number of Kernel rows/ear, number of kernels/row showed significant positive association with grain yield as well as among themselves at phenotypic and genotypic level. Highest positive direct effect was exhibited by Days to 75% brown husk, Ear height (cm), Ear length (cm), Ear girth (cm),Number of Kernel rows/ear and Grain yield (Kg/ha). Hence, selection based on these characters would be more effective for yield improvement. All the 18 inbred lines were grouped into 5 clusters using D2 statistics using Tochers method (Morphological characterization) and 8 clusters using Jaccard similarity coefficient analysis (Molecular characterization) shows that inbred lines viz., PoP-61 and LM-13 (cluster I, cluster A), WNC DMR 11 R 27290 (cluster IV, cluster D) and S99 TLYQ(HG-AB)-BBB-54-BBB-54-BBB/CML-193 (cluster V, cluster E) included in the same cluster indicating thereby that these inbred lines of maize are relatively more closely related to each other with respect to the morphological and molecular characterization under consideration in the present investigation. The maximum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster V and minimum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster I. The highest inter cluster distance was observed in between Cluster I and V. Genotype from these clusters may be selected as parents for hybridization programme for developing new hybrid combinations. Among 153 combinations, number of kernels per row ranked 1st (93 time) and maximum in Percent contribution towards total divergence, Cluster mean in cluster I (51.00, 15.72, 13.11, 11.56, 1400.75) but it showed maximum in cluster V (110.67, 72.83, 19.00, 15.00, 14.00, 3010.56) respectively.Therefore, selection of parents from different clusters might be done for desired traits on the basis of higher cluster mean values, suggesting scope for Improvement in these characters. A panel of thirteen primers, namely, phi083, nc133, phi029, phi053, umc1304, umc1332, phi034, umc1161, phi014, phi065, umc1367, umc1196 and umc1266 generated amplified products due to amplification of two locus and targeting each of the chromosome no. 2, 2, 3, 3, 8, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10 and 3 chromosomes of the maize genome was successfully used to achieve the targeted amplification and the polymorphism was recognized on the basis of presence or absence of bands, in addition to variation in respect of number and position of bands from seven in the cases of nc133, umc1161, umc1367 and umc1196 to ten in the cases of, phi029, umc1332, phi034 and umc1266. Altogether 110 alleles (62 shared and 48 unique allelic variants) were detected among the eighteen maize inbred lines with an average of 8.46 alleles per locus using 13 SSR markers. The number of unique alleles per locus ranged from two in the case of nc133 to six alleles in the case of umc1266. Umc1266, phi029, phi034, umc1304, umc1332, umc1196, phi083, umc1161, phi014, phi065, umc1367 and nc133 generated considerably greater percentage of unique alleles in descending order of magnitude. The SSR locus associated with primer pairs phi083, nc133, phi053, umc1161, phi014, umc1367and umc1196 showed null alleles in some of the inbred lines under evaluation reflecting the failure of locus specific SSR primer directed generation of amplified products. In general, the SSR loci with di-nucleotide repeat motifs tended to detect greater number of alleles than the locus with tri-nucleotide, teta-nucleotide or penta-nucleotide repeat sequence. The marker with a GA or AG repeat motif showed greater variability than marker with a CT or TG or TA repeat motif among the loci with perfect di-nucleotide repeat motifs. Presence of stutter bands were observed in the case of tri and tetra-nucleotide repeat sequences detected by primer pairs umc1304 and umc1332. The PIC values revealing allele diversity and frequency among the inbred lines varied from 0.805 in the case of umc1367 to 0.886 in the case of phi065 with an average of 0.849 per primer. Since PIC values higher than 0.5 reflect high informative ability of the markers, all the primer pairs with thewere highly informative. The pair-wise estimates of similarity coefficients ranged from 0.000 to 0.375. The magnitude of similarity coefficient between Pool 33- 193 and Pool 34- 193 (0.375) was the maximum amongst pair-wise combinations of entries under evaluation in the present study. By drawing the phenon line at 0.11 similarity units. A perusal of the dendrogram clearly indicates that the entries were basically divided into three groups. The first multi-genotypic group consisted consisted of ten inbred lines, second di-genoptypic group consisted of six inbred lines and third mono-genotypic group consisted of two inbred line. Use of SSR markers appeared more efficient in achieving unique and unambiguous characterization and differentiation of inbred lines used in the present study. The SSR analysis also revealed unique or variety specific allele, which could be useful as DNA fingerprints in the identification and preservation of maize inbred lines.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of Sugarcane Mid-late Clones under Waterlogging conditions(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2017) Krishna, Bal; Kamat, D. N.A study was conducted with sixteen genotypes received from Sugarcane Research Institute, D.R.P.C.A.U., Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Block Design with three replications during spring season 2016 in paddy block, to evaluate the midlate sugarcane clones for waterlogging tolerance. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters under study in waterlogging condition. The numerical values of phenotypic variation were higher than their genotypic counterpart for all the characters. Among quality characters viz. brix, pol, purity and CCS percentage at 10 and 12 months stage respectively had low GCV and PCV values indicating the presence of limited variability for these traits. Moderate to high heritability estimates were noticed for almost all the characters under study suggesting that selection of clones for these characters will be effective. Out of all twenty-five traits, high heritability with moderate GCV and PCV coupled with high genetic advance observed by sugar yield (CCS t/ha), cane yield (t/ha), leaf area index before waterlogging, leaf area index at 30 days after waterlogging and leaf area index at 60 days after waterlogging indicating the suitability of these traits for selection. Cane yield (t/ha) had significant and positive correlation with germination percentage at 45 DAP, number of shoots at 120 DAP (000/ha), number of shoots at 240 DAP (000/ha), number of millable canes at harvest (000/ha), sugar yield (t/ha), plant height at 240 DAP, plant height at 360 DAP, single cane weight, cane diameter at harvest leaf area index before waterlogging, leaf area index 30 days after waterlogging, leaf area index 60 days after waterlogging, number of fully emerged leaves at 30 days after waterlogging and number of fully emerged leaves at 60 days after waterlogging. Thus, these traits play a greater role as important contributing characters for higher cane yield. Highest positive direct effect on cane yield was exerted by pol percent at 12 months stage, sugar yield, brix percentage at 10 months stage, single cane weight and purity percentage at 10 months stage at phenotypic level, hence these traits can be used for clonal selection programme on sugarcane for sub-tropical regions. Ranking of clones based on selection index and three other criteria revealed that CoP2061 is the most suitable clone among the clones studied for waterlogging condition. Other clones which can withstand waterlogging situation are BO154 (check), CoP15439 and BO155. From the result and their conclusive interpretation, it can safely concluded that germination percentage at 45 DAP, number of shoots at 120 DAP (000/ha), number of millable cane at harvest (000/ha), sugar yield (CCS t/ha), cane yield, brix percentage at 10 months stage, single cane weight, leaf area index before waterlogging, after 30 and 60 days after waterlogging can be associated together in a positive direction towards an ultimate aim of developing high yielding sugarcane clones combining high sucrose for waterlogging condition.