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An atypical morphotype of pea (Pisum sativum L.) was identified during the germplasm characterization programme at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. This accession was recognised with prominent and intact funiculus on the seed. To explore the possible role of the extended funiculus, imbibition and physiological behaviour study was carried out on the seeds of selected accession of similar morphology. Compared to checks, the higher water uptake was reported in the seeds with extended funiculus in the exotic collection (EC0414478). Moreover, EC0414478 also showed the highest biomass along with the chlorophyll and Relative Water Content in response to drought at the early vegetative stage. This can be utilized as donor for drought tolerance for developing variety/genetic stocks for early sown peas, especially in rice fallow areas. A more detailed investigation is required to assess the drought tolerance potential of identified germplasm under field conditions.

The objective of the study was to assess the direct and indirect effects of 13 important morphological and biochemical traits on yield enhancement in 28 advanced breeding lines of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the foothills of north-western Himalayas. Tuber yield was positively correlated with number of tubers per plant (r = 0.76), number of stems per plant (r = 0.53), number of leaves per plant (r = 0.43) and tuber weight (r = 0.37). Furthermore, tuber yield exhibited a significant negative correlation with days to maturity (r = − 0.39). Days to 50% emergence had a significant negative correlation with protein content (r = − 0.42). Path analysis revealed that the components of yield, number of tubers per plant and tuber weight, had high positive direct effects (0.876 and 0.618, respectively) on tuber yield, whereas the effects of other traits were low (≤ 0.128). Furthermore, tuber weight had an indirect negative effect on tuber yield through the number of tubers. Tuber size had a low correlation (0.19) with tuber yield because a positive indirect effect (0.451) through tuber weight was balanced by a negative indirect effect (− 0.254) through tuber number. The number of stems and number of leaves had positive indirect effects (0.377 and 0.377, respectively) on tuber yield through tuber numbers, whereas days to maturity had a negative indirect effect (− 0.298) through tuber numbers. There were virtually no indirect effects through the biochemical traits. The implications for potato breeding are discussed.

In the context of changing climatic scenario, depletion of natural resources and increasing hunger and malnutrition, it is necessary to ensure sustainable agricultural production and resource utilization. Bio-stimulants are a viable alternative in this condition. Bio-stimulant consists of various substances and microorganisms which have found to be effective in enhancing plant growth enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and crop quality traits. Vegetables are a rich and relatively cheaper source of vitamins. Consumption of vegetable provides palatability and taste, increases appetite, supplies fibre for digestion and helps in preventing malnutrition. To enhance the sustainability of vegetable production, bio-stimulants can be effectively used. In this chapter, status of vegetable production worldwide and in India, categories of plant bio-stimulants and its importance in vegetable production enhancement and factors contributing towards the expansion of the bio-stimulants market in the world have been discussed. The impact of PGPR carrying plentiful multifunctional plant growth-promoting activities on vegetable crops is discussed. Furthermore, this chapter has summarized recent advancement in bio-stimulant commercial products and vegetable disease interaction and has drawn lines of future research that can aid to improve the effectiveness of the use of bio-stimulants in sustainable quality vegetable production.

Wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend. Fr. f.sp. pisi is a devastating disease of garden pea in India and worldwide. The pathogen being soil-borne fungus is quite difficult to manage by chemical methods and the development of resistant varieties seems to be the only alternative. In the present study 34 garden pea genotypes collected from different sources were evaluated during winter 2012–13 and 2013–14 under wilt sick plot as well as artificial controlled conditions to identify genetic sources of resistance against Fusarium wilt. Three genotypes (GP-6, GP-55 and GP-942) were found to be highly resistant, four genotypes (GP-17, GP-48, GP-473, GP-941) were resistant and identified as new donor source. All the popular cultivated varieties (Arkel, Pusa Pragati, AP-3, VRP-6, VL-7, VL-10 and Arka Ajit) were highly susceptible to wilt. The inheritance of Fusarium resistance gene(s) was also studied using F1, F2, B1 and B2 progenies of three crosses, viz., Pusa Pragati × GP-55, Pusa Pragati × GP-6 and Arkel × GP-17. Chi-square analysis was performed to determine the Mendelian segregation ratios of resistance and susceptibility among the inoculated progenies. The F1 and backcross progenies to the resistant parents segregated in the ratio of 1:0, while the F2 progenies segregated in the ratio of 3:1. The backcross progenies to the susceptible parent segregated in the ratio of 1:1. The results obtained revealed that the resistance to Fusarium wilt in garden pea is governed by monogenic dominant gene. The resistance gene can easily be introgressed by backcross breeding in desired genotype.