Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) is an important medicinal plant valued for its therapeutic properties and bioactive compounds, notably alkaloids and withanolides. Despite its economic significance, systematic crop improvement through heterosis breeding remains limited. The present study was undertaken to evaluate hybrid vigour for dry root yield and related traits across multiple environments. A line × tester mating design involving 16 lines, 3 testers and their 48 F1 hybrids were evaluated along with three standard checks across 3 locations during the rabi season of 2022–23 in Southern Rajasthan. Observations were recorded for days to 50 % flowering, plant height, root length, root diameter, fresh root yield, dry root yield and alkaloid content. Pooled analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes, environments and genotype × environment interactions for all traits, indicating substantial genetic variability and environmental influence. Significant heterosis was observed for most traits. For earliness, crosses L15 × T3, L11 × T3 and L9 × T2 exhibited desirable negative heterosis. The L14 × T1 and L16 × T3 exhibited superior performance for plant height and L16 × T2 and L6 × T2 emerged as promising hybrids for root length and root diameter respectively. High heterosis for fresh root yield was recorded in L7 × T1 and L13 × T1, whereas L16 × T3, L15 × T3 and L14 × T1 demonstrated outstanding performance for dry root yield, with L16 × T3 also exhibiting significant economic heterosis. For alkaloid content, crosses L15 × T3, L16 × T3 and L2 × T3 exhibited consistent superiority across environments. The study identified promising hybrid combinations combining high dry root yield and enhanced alkaloid content highlighting the potential of heterosis breeding for developing superior Ashwagandha cultivars suited for commercial cultivation and pharmaceutical demand.
Understanding genetic variability is fundamental to sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) improvement. This study evaluated 44 genotypes across two locations in Nigeria, Ejigbo and Ilesa, over two growing seasons (2023-2024) to estimate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, and associations among yield-related traits, morphological descriptors, and dry matter content. The experiment used a randomised complete block design with three replications. A combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant genotypic effects (p < 0.01) for all traits, with significant genotype × environment interactions for most yield-related traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation exceeded the genotypic coefficient of variation for all traits, although the differences were small. Broad-sense heritability ranged from 74 % for stand count to 100 % for pigmentation traits and dry matter content, while genetic advance ranged from 14.09 % for fresh shoot yield to 178.90 % for petiole colour. Genotypic correlation analysis showed significant positive associations between mature leaf length and both fresh shoot yield (r = 0.38) and fresh root yield (r = 0.32), whereas petiole colour exhibited the strongest negative correlation with dry matter content (r = −0.40). Path coefficient analysis identified petiole colour as having the largest negative direct effect (−0.54) on dry matter content, whereas mature leaf colour and vine length exerted the largest positive direct effects (0.13 each). The residual effect (0.83) indicates that additional factors influence dry matter accumulation. These findings demonstrate substantial genetic variability and high heritability for most traits, suggesting promising prospects for genetic improvement through selection. However, significant genotype × environment interactions and trade-offs between pigmentation and dry matter content necessitate multi-environment testing and careful breeding programme design.
Abiodun David Arowolo, Abduslalam Mosobalaje Murtadha, Michael Segun et al.· Acta Agronómica· 0 citations
This study evaluated heterosis and selected genetic parameters for 14 quantitative traits in brinjal (eggplant). Eight lines and three testers were crossed in a line × tester design to produce 24 F1 hybrids, which were evaluated during the rabi and kharif seasons of 2022–23. The experiment was conducted at the College Farm, College of Horticulture, Jagudan, and the Fruit Research Station, Dehgam, using a randomised block design with three replications. Standard agronomic practices were followed, and observations were recorded from six selected plants per treatment across replications for plant height, plant spread, flowering and picking traits, fruit yield, phenolic content and related characters. Heterosis was expressed as the percentage increase or decrease relative to the better parent (heterobeltiosis) and the standard check (standard heterosis). For plant height at 90 DAT, several crosses exhibited positive heterosis, with L5 × T1 and L7 × T2 recording the highest pooled standard heterosis values. L5 × T1 also performed best for plant height at the last picking and showed consistently favourable heterosis for plant spread in both the E–W and N–S directions. Desirable negative heterosis for days to first flower initiation and days to first picking was recorded in L3 × T1, L2 × T1 and L5 × T1. L3 × T1 and L5 × T1 exhibited desirable positive heterosis for days to last picking. These crosses may be useful for improving growth and flowering traits in brinjal, subject to further evaluation for yield, quality and stability.
N. Nadoda, H. R. Barot, D. Barot et al.· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
A study was undertaken with 20 genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to evaluate 16 quantitative and qualitative traits and 2 biochemical traits to estimate the genetic variability between yield and its components at the Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi during 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Among all genotypes, 596 were found promising for both yield and quality traits. Yield showed significant positive correlation with average fruit weight (28.99 g), pericarp thickness (0.37 cm), equatorial diameter of fruits (1.25 cm) and number of fruits (79.63). Formation of 5 clusters in dendrogram show the similarity among different traits. Genotype T-53 recorded the highest acidity (0.395 %) whereas genotype T-20 recorded the highest T.S.S. (8.2 0brix). Genotype 596 recorded the highest yield/1000 sq m (144.27 q)
P. K. Singh, R. Gautam, Zakir Hussain et al.· Progressive Horticulture· 0 citations
Abstract
The intricate relationship between taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) agronomic traits
and yield is critical for optimizing breeding strategies in humid tropical climates. This study
used a combination of correlation analysis, multiple regression, and path coefficient
techniques to evaluate the contribution of key growth and yield parameters in six distinct taro
genotypes evaluated over two cropping seasons at Umudike, Southeastern Nigeria. The trial
was conducted under the recommended weeding regimes for cocoyam species to ensure
optimal crop development and minimize confounding environmental stress. The experiment
was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications to assess genotypic
performance across ten morphological and yield-related traits. The results revealed notable
genetic variability, providing a strong foundation for trait-based selection. The results
obtained indicated that cormel weight, corm weight, and plant height emerged as the most
influential predictors of total yield, collectively accounting for 79.8% of the variation in yield
observed. The significant direct effects of these traits, as revealed through path analysis,
underscore their potential as selection indices in yield improvement programs. This
integrative analytical approach offers valuable insights into trait interdependence and
highlights critical levers for enhancing taro productivity in tropical agro-ecosystems.
S. Uko· International Journal of Agr...· 0 citations
This study evaluated the agronomic performance and biochemical composition of five cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) varieties: Drum, Botoro, Oloyin, Ife-Brown, and IT04K-332-1. Cultivated under field conditions using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, all varieties received uniform management practices. Data were collected on key agronomic parameters, including seed yield, 100-seed weight, pod length, branching, and pod count per plant. Subsequent proximate analysis determined moisture, dry matter, crude fat, ash, crude fibre, and crude protein content. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed across all agronomic and biochemical traits among the varieties. The improved variety IT04K-332-1 produced the highest seed yield (272.00 g/plot), whereas Botoro recorded the lowest yield (9.50 g/plot). Conversely, Botoro exhibited the highest crude protein content, while IT04K-332-1 had the lowest. A positive correlation was found among crude protein, dry matter, branching, and 100-seed weight, but crude protein was negatively correlated with overall seed yield. This inverse relationship indicates a distinct trade-off between nutritional quality and grain production. Consequently, IT04K-332-1 is recommended for commercial farmers seeking maximum grain yield, while Botoro is recommended for targeted high-protein nutritional applications.
Victoria Odutayo· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a major fibre crop underpinning the global textile industry; however, its productivity is increasingly threatened by climatic variability and the resurgence of sap-sucking insect pests. The interaction between genotype and environment (G × E) further complicates the identification of stable and high-yielding genotypes, particularly under rainfed conditions. The present study evaluated 7 cotton genotypes across 9 environments (three locations over 3 consecutive years: 2021–24) in Odisha, India, to assess G × E interaction for 14 quantitative traits related to yield and sucking pest resistance using advanced statistical approaches. Combined analysis of variance revealedhighly significant (p < 0.01) effects of genotypes, environments and G × E interaction for all traits studied. The interaction component was particularly significant for key traits, including seed cotton yield (SCY), lint yield (LY) and populations of major sucking pests, necessitating a comprehensive stability analysis. High broad-sense heritability coupled with moderate to high genetic advance for yield and pest resistance traits indicated the predominance of additive gene action. Stability analyses using the Eberhart and Russell model, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype plus genotype by environment (GGE) biplot consistently identified genotype BS 3-17 as superior, exhibiting the highest mean SCY (1978 kg ha-1) and LY (675 kg ha-1), along with the lowest mean populations of aphids (APH) (5.28 per 3 leaves) and jassids (JAS) (1.82 per 3 leaves) across environments. The multi-trait stability index (MTSI) further ranked BS 3-17 as the most desirable genotype (MTSI score = 5.51), indicating its closest proximity to the ideotype. Agronomic validation trials demonstrated that high-density planting (90 × 30 cm) combined with 125 % of the recommended dose of fertilisers significantly enhanced the yield potential of BS 3-17, achieving up to 3114 kg ha-1. These findings establish BS 3-17 as a climate-resilient, high-yielding genotype suitable for commercial cultivation and a promising donor parent for breeding programs targeting yield stability and sucking pest resistance.
D. Subhashree, S. N. Bhabani, R. Jyoti et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
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