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This study was carried out for standardization of a reliable protocol by using different explants (epicotyl,cotyledon, and root), plant bioregulators (PBRs), and carbon sources on indirect embryogenesis during 2019-2022. Among the treatments tested, T4 (MS + 2,4-D (1.5 mg L-1) + BAP (1.0 mg L-1) + ME (500 mg L-1)) proved bestfor callusing (90.89 %), callus fresh weight (0.83 g), turgid weight (0.84 g) and dry weight (0.08 g) as comparedto others. In terms of callusing (83.72%), callus fresh weight (0.67 g), turgid weight (0.68 g), dry weight (0.05g) and callus water content (11.28 %), explants epicotyl (E) showed its superiority over others. Similarly, thetreatment combination T4 × E surpassed others in callusing potential. Embryogenesis (59.09%) and germination(33.61%) were best in T7 (MS + BAP (2 mg L-1) + NAA (0.1 mg L-1) + ME (500 mg L-1)). Among the different carbonsources, 5% glycerol supplemented with T7 proved best in inducing the highest number of somatic embryos/callus mass (73.26), embryogenesis (65.27%), and plantlet formation (68.77%). The standardized protocol canbe used for indirect embryogenesis for different genotypes of sweet orange.

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris) is a major disease that can cause up to 90% yield loss in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The presence of 8 physiological races of Foc (0, 1A, 1B/C, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) makes it a complex task in the development of disease-resistant cultivar. Thus, Pyramiding of Foc races 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 was undertaken using WR 315 as donor and Pusa 372 as recurrent parent through Marker assisted backcross (MABC) breeding approach. A total of 20 genotypes, including 17 MABC derived lines of Pusa 372 × WR 315, susceptible parent (Pusa 372), resistant check (WR 315) and national check (JG 16) were used. Multi-location testing of advanced MABC lines at 4 different regions (Amla, Badnapur, Sehore, IARI-New Delhi) was carried out using randomised block design (RBD) in two replications during 2020–21 winter (rabi) season. Usually, multi environment testing is performed involving a single trait, which provides lower reliability in selection of lines, compared to multi-trait analysis. The present study identifies highly stable Fusarium wilt resistant lines with higher yield advantage using MTSI (Multi trait stability index) and GGE (Genotype main effect and genotype × environment interaction) biplot methodology. From GGE biplot analyses the PC1 explains 84.97% and PC2 explains 8.96% of variability. MTSI results revealed that genotype (G) 1, 4 and 3 were stable for the multiple characters studied. But, based on GGE-mean stability value G 11, 12 and 3 were identified for higher yield and better stability values. Based on MTSI and GGE, G 3 may be considered as a stable line for multiple traits including yield superiority.

A study on stability analysis was carried out in 30 diverse genotypes of ricebean (Vigna umbellata Thunb.) in eastern hill region of India. Significant differences among the genotypes over the years were observed for all the three traits studied. The first two principal components axis (IPCA1, 90.4% and IPCA2, 9.6%) could explain 100% of the total of the interaction variation. Correlation study showed that the stability parameters are highly associated with each other (p < 0.01). Multi trait stability index and genotype selection along with strength and weakness view of the genotypes to the traits inferred higher productivity of BSKB 28 (G29) for number of pods/plant and seed yield/plant and Ukhrul 15 (G17) for number of seeds/pod. Different stability measures selected seven genotypes, namely, Bete 6 (G22), IC002567 (G8), Ukhrul 6 (G13), Ukhrul 14 (G16), Ukhrul 15 (G17), Bete 4 (G21) and BSKB 3 (G28) as the most desirable and stable performing with good yield over the years.

There are very limited studies on the QTLs governing Ascochyta blight resistance which is a major problem in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) grown in North West Plain Zone of India in the cooler climates and world over. An interspecific mapping population consisting of 157 F2:3 lines developed by crossing a resistant parent ILWC129 (C. reticulatum) with a susceptible variety GL769 (C. arietinum L.), was evaluated (2019–20) and genotyped (2021) for genetic studies and mapping of resistance to Ascochyta rabiei (syn. Phoma rabiei), isolate 8(3968). The inheritance pattern gave 1R:2H:1S goodness of fit ratio with χ2 value of 0.4 indicating that resistance against isolate 8 of the pathogen governed by a single gene. Out of 831 SSR markers screened, 86 were found polymorphic with 10.3% polymorphism from which only 41 markers segregated in 1:2:1 ratio and could be mapped. Eight linkage groups with a cumulative distance of 1042.31 cM were formed with an average distance of 25.42 cM. This is probably the first report of inheritance studies and tagging of A. rabei race 8 (arr8) resistance gene using molecular markers in an interspecific cross with C. reticulatum.

Background : Crop improvement for tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stress factors necessitates understanding the key gene regulatory mechanisms. One such mechanism of gene regulation involves changes in cytosine methylation at the gene body and flanking regulatory sequences. The present study was undertaken to identify genes which might be potential targets of drought-induced DNA methylation in chickpea. Methods and Results : Two chickpea genotypes, which contrast for drought tolerance, were subjected to drought stress conditions and their differential response was studied by analysing different morpho-physiological traits. Utilizing the in-house, high throughput sequencing data, the SPL TF genes were identified to be differentially methylated and expressed amongst the two genotypes, in response to drought stress. The methylation status of one of these genes was examined and validated through BS-PCR. The identified genes could be possible homologs to known epialleles and can therefore serve as potential epialleles which can be utilized for crop improvement in chickpea. Conclusions : The SPL TF genes are potential targets of epigenetic regulation in response to drought stress in chickpea. Since these are TFs, they might play important roles in controlling the expression of other genes, thus contributing to differential drought response of the two genotypes.

Elucidation of the genetic basis of drought tolerance is vital for genomics-assisted breeding of drought tolerant crop varieties. Here, we used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between a drought tolerant chickpea variety, Pusa 362 and a drought sensitive variety, SBD 377. The GBS identified a total of 35,502 SNPs and subsequent filtering of these resulted in 3,237 high-quality SNPs included in the eight linkage groups. Fifty-one percent of these SNPs were located in the genic regions distributed throughout the genome. The high density linkage map has total map length of 1069 cM with an average marker interval of 0.33 cM. The linkage map was used to identify 15 robust QTLs for four drought related traits viz. membrane stability index, relative water content, seed weight and yield under drought, with percent variance explained within the range of 11.5–26.7% and LOD scores of 5.58 to 6.89, which were located on six of the eight linkage groups. A genomic region on LG 6 harbors quantitative traits loci (QTLs) explaining > 25% phenotypic variance for membrane stability index, yield and > 10% PVE for 100 seed weight. This study also provides the first report of major QTLs for physiological traits such as membrane stability index and relative water content for drought stress in chickpea. A total of 969 putative candidate genes were identified in the 15.6 Mb genomic region spanning these QTLs. In-silico expression profiling based on the available transcriptome data revealed that 617 of these genes were differentially expressed under drought stress. The novel genomic regions and candidate genes identified will be useful in genomics-assisted breeding of superior drought tolerant chickpea cultivars.

BACKGROUND In patients of acute ischemic stroke, there is increased mortality associated with low admission haemoglobin. But limited studies exist on haemoglobin as prognostic predictor of functional outcome in elderly stroke patients. Also, the outcome of stroke is known to be consistently poorer in women than in men. We wanted to correlate this sex difference to haemoglobin variations. METHODS This is a prospective study of 80 patients, diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke conducted from October 2017 to September 2019. Admission haemoglobin levels were noted, and each patient was evaluated for stroke severity with MNIHSS and Charlson Index, a composite measure of comorbidities was computed. At the end of one week, functional outcome was assessed through Barthel index. Multiple Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship of admission haemoglobin to stroke outcomes after adjustment for neurological severity and medical comorbidities. RESULTS Out of 80 cases about 59% were elderly adults; 58.75% were male patients and 41.25% were female patients. 53.75% of these patients belonged to mild functional dependency according to Barthel index and the rest were in moderate to severe dependency. In the study, it was noted that higher the level of haemoglobin better the Barthel Index and hence better the functional outcome, when adjusted for comorbidities. Also, 42.4% of females had severe disability as opposed to 34% of males. However this relationship was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our study found a significant and positive correlation between admission haemoglobin and the functional outcome of acute ischemic stroke. Elderly patients with higher admission haemoglobin were found to have less severe disability following an acute ischemic stroke. Our study also established a cut off haemoglobin value of 12g/dL and above as being associated with overall favourable outcome in stroke patients. However, the difference in haemoglobin levels between male and female patients could not be correlated as a significant factor contributing to sex differences in stroke outcomes.

A total of 20 diverse guava genotypes, including the newly bred hybrids were characterized using the morphological, physio-biochemical parameters and microsatellite markers at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi during 2018-19. Most of the qualitative morphological and physio-biochemical parameters had a coefficient of variation value >20%, which indicated substantial diversity. The longest leaves (14.87 cm) were recorded in Lalit, which was statistically at par with Pant Prabhat (14.67 cm), while amongst the hybrids, it is in GH 2018-10 (13.93 cm). The maximum leaf area was recorded in Pant Prabhat (60.33 cm2) while amongst hybrids it was in GH 2018-2 (53.40 cm2). The highest stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate was recorded in guava genotype Shweta (9.63 μmol/m2/s) (0.25 mol/m2/sec) while amongst the hybrids it was in GH 2018-8 (8.73μmol/m2/s) (0.26 mol/m2/sec), respectively. The mean genetic diversity indices, viz. major allelic frequency, number of alleles, gene diversity, heterozygosity and polymorphic information content of eight SSRs were 0.497, 3.75, 0.599, 0.071 and 0.542, respectively among the guava genotypes. Furthermore, the eight SSRs based Neighbour-joining (N-J) tree separated the newly bred guava hybrids into different clusters, clades and out-groups.

The health problems caused by iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiency plague developing and underdeveloped countries. A vegetarian person mainly depends on cereal based diet with low quantity of Fe and Zn. Biofortification is an economical and sustainable approach to challenge the micronutrient malnutrition problem globally. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is one of the nutri-cereals and mostly grown under hot, dry conditions on infertile soils of low water-holding capacity, where other crops generally fail. It contains anti-nutrient compounds like phytic acid and polyphenols which reduce the mineral bioavailability because of their chelating properties. Biofortification of pearl millet is like a double-edged sword which cuts down the economic burden and simultaneously supplies required nutrition to the poor, offering a great scope for food security as well as nutritional security. With this background, this review focus on biofortification of grain Fe and Zn content in pearl millet. Genetic research on Fe and Zn uptake and accumulation in pearl millet grain is crucial in identifying the ‘bottlenecks’ in biofortification. The review also reveals the need and strategies for increasing bioavailability of Fe and Zn in humans by increasing promoters and decreasing anti-nutritional factors in pearl millet.

Seed germination is crucial for the plant life cycle. We investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in two chickpea varieties that differ in germination capacity: Kabuli, which has a low rate of germination and germinates slowly, and Desi, which shows improved germination properties. Desi produced more NO than Kabuli and had lower respiratory rates. As a result of the high respiration rates, Kabuli had higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP) reduced respiration in Kabuli and decreased ROS levels, resulting in accelerated germination rates. These findings suggest that NO plays a key role in the germination of Kabuli. SNAP increased the levels of transcripts encoding enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and the cell cycle. Moreover, the levels of amino acids and organic acids were increased in Kabuli as a result of SNAP treatment. 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that Kabuli has a higher capacity for glucose oxidation than Desi. An observed SNAP-induced increase in 13C incorporation into soluble alanine may result from enhanced oxidation of exogenous [13C]glucose via glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. A homozygous hybrid that originated from a recombinant inbred line population of a cross between Desi and Kabuli germinated faster and had increased NO levels and a reduced accumulation of ROS compared with Kabuli. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the importance of NO in chickpea germination via the control of respiration and ROS accumulation., Nitric oxide improves germination capacity of Kabuli chickpea by increasing internal oxygen concentration and minimizing reactive oxygen species.

Background: Indirect selection for yield contributing traits in segregating generation is practiced to realize the potential yields. However, the effectiveness of selection either in early or late segregating generation is a debatable issue in self pollinated crops. The issue is addressed in chickpea by analyzing four segregating generations of a cross in the same season. Method: A bold seeded desi chickpea variety BGD 103 crossed with JAKI 9218. The segregating generations were advanced up to F5 without selection and retaining part of the seeds in each generation. The populations comprised of 162 F­2 plants, 162 F3, F4 and F5 progeny rows were evaluated during rabi 2018-19. The observations on seed traits were recorded and data was subjected to statistical analyses to estimate correlation among the traits in each generations, inter-generation correlation and heritability.Result: The range of variation for the traits narrowed with advancement of the generations. The heritability decreased for seed weight, increased for number of pods per plant and number of seeds per plant with the advancement of generation. In all the four generations, seed yields were associated with number of pods per plant, seeds per plant and seed weight. The change in association among seed traits different generations and estimates of inter-generation correlations suggest that simultaneous improvement of seed weight, seed number and seed yield could be achieved by selection in F3 and F4 generations.

Ascochyta blight (AB) and botrytis grey mould (BGM) are the most devastating fungal diseases of chickpea worldwide. The wild relative of chickpea, C. reticulatum acc. ILWC 292 was found resistant to BGM whereas, GPF2 (Cicer arietinum L.) is resistant to AB. A total of 187 F8 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) developed from an inter-specific cross of GPF2 × C. reticulatum acc. ILWC 292 were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for resistance to AB and BGM. RILs along with parents were evaluated under artificial epiphytotic field/laboratory conditions for two years. Highly significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed for reaction to both pathogens in both years. Parents and RILs were genotyped-by-sequencing to identify genome wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs). A total of 1365 filtered and parental polymorphic SNPs were used for linkage map construction, of which, 673 SNPs were arranged on eight linkage groups. Composite interval mapping revealed three QTLs for AB and four QTLs for BGM resistance. Out of which, two QTLs for AB and three QTLs for BGM were consistent in both years. These QTLs can be targeted for further fine mapping for deployment of resistance to AB and BGM in elite chickpea cultivars using marker-assisted-selection.

The Translational Chickpea Genomics Consortium (TCGC) was set up to increase the production and productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). It represents research institutes from six major chickpea growing states (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh) of India. The TCGC team has been engaged in deploying modern genomics approaches in breeding and popularizing improved varieties in farmers’ fields across the states. Using marker-assisted backcrossing, introgression lines with enhanced drought tolerance and fusarium wilt resistance have been developed in the genetic background of 10 elite varieties of chickpea. Multi-location evaluation of 100 improved lines (70 desi and 30 kabuli) during 2016–2017 and 2018–2019 enabled the identification of top performing desi and kabuli lines. In total, 909 Farmer Participatory Varietal Selection trials were conducted in 158 villages in 16 districts of the five states, during 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020, involving 16 improved varieties. New molecular breeding lines developed in different genetic backgrounds are potential candidates for national trials under the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Chickpea. The comprehensive efforts of TCGC resulted in the development and adoption of high-yielding varieties that will increase chickpea productivity and the profitability of chickpea growing farmers.

Heat stress during reproductive stages has been leading to significant yield losses in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). With an aim of identifying the genomic regions or QTLs responsible for heat tolerance, 187 F8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross GPF 2 (heat tolerant) × ILWC 292 (heat sensitive) were evaluated under late-sown irrigated (January-May) and timely-sown irrigated environments (November-April) at Ludhiana and Faridkot in Punjab, India for 13 heat tolerance related traits. The pooled ANOVA for both locations for the traits namely days to germination (DG), days to flowering initiation (DFI), days to 50% flowering (DFF), days to 100% flowering (DHF), plant height (PH), pods per plant (NPP), biomass (BIO), grain yield (YLD), 100-seed weight (HSW), harvest index (HI), membrane permeability index (MPI), relative leaf water content (RLWC) and pollen viability (PV)) showed a highly significant difference in RILs. The phenotyping data coupled with the genetic map comprising of 1365 ddRAD-Seq based SNP markers were used for identifying the QTLs for heat tolerance. Composite interval mapping provided a total of 28 and 23 QTLs, respectively at Ludhiana and Faridkot locations. Of these, 13 consensus QTLs for DG, DFI, DFF, DHF, PH, YLD, and MPI have been identified at both locations. Four QTL clusters containing QTLs for multiple traits were identified on the same genomic region at both locations. Stable QTLs for days to flowering can be one of the major factors for providing heat tolerance as early flowering has an advantage of more seed setting due to a comparatively longer reproductive period. Identified QTLs can be used in genomics-assisted breeding to develop heat stress-tolerant high yielding chickpea cultivars.

Much of the world’s population growth will occur in regions where food insecurity is prevalent, with large increases in food demand projected in regions of Africa and South Asia. While improving food security in these regions will require a multi-faceted approach, improved performance of crop varieties in these regions will play a critical role. Current rates of genetic gain in breeding programs serving Africa and South Asia fall below rates achieved in other regions of the world. Given resource constraints, increased genetic gain in these regions cannot be achieved by simply expanding the size of breeding programs. New approaches to breeding are required. The Genomic Open-source Breeding informatics initiative (GOBii) and Excellence in Breeding Platform (EiB) are working with public sector breeding programs to build capacity, develop breeding strategies, and build breeding informatics capabilities to enable routine use of new technologies that can improve the efficiency of breeding programs and increase genetic gains. Simulations evaluating breeding strategies indicate cost-effective implementations of genomic selection (GS) are feasible using relatively small training sets, and proof-of-concept implementations have been validated in the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) maize breeding program. Progress on GOBii, EiB, and implementation of GS in CIMMYT and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) breeding programs are discussed, as well as strategies for routine implementation of GS in breeding programs serving Africa and South Asia.

Biofortification of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) with improved iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) will have great impact as it is an indispensable component of nutritional security of inhabitants of arid and semi-arid regions. Ten genotypes along with checks were evaluated in RBD in six locations during kharif, 2016 under rainfed conditions. Significant differences were observed in genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction mean squares for grain Fe and Zn contents, indicating differential nutrient accumulation by the genotypes. The first two principal components obtained in AMMI analysis were significant and cumulatively explained the total variation were 81.47 % for Fe and 73.97 % for Zn. A positive and moderately high correlation (r=0.6) between Fe and Zn contents suggests good prospects of simultaneous improvement for both micronutrients. Among the ten genotypes, PPMI 953 was found to be more stable with high mean Fe (90 ppm) and Zn (59 ppm) contents. On crossing with designated A lines of pearl millet, the line PPMI 953 found to be restorer for A1 system with complete fertility restoration of F1 panicle of the cross, ICMA(1) 863 x PPMI 953 under bagged condition and resulting F1 with 78-84% fertility measured by seed setting % under bag. The F2 individuals showed 9:7 fertility-sterility ratio (χ 2 value=0.002, P value=0.964). The promising line, PPMI 953 may be used as source for further genetic improvement with respect to grain micronutrient content or can be directly used as male parent in development of high iron pearl millet hybrids.

Large-scale genomic resources have been generated in sorghum, finger millet and pearl millet leading to availability of large number of molecular markers and transcriptome sequences. With the availability of genome sequence in sorghum, pearl millet, and others in progress, integration of genomic technologies in millet breeding has now started in general for most of the stresses. This has raised the status of millets to genome rich crops from resource poor crops. Genomics-assisted breeding is an advanced breeding approach, wherein both the genomic information and the phenotypic selection are considered concurrently for designing phenotypes. Genomics-assisted breeding is strongly supported by third generation DNA sequencing techniques, which have provided enormous nucleotide information. Data mining and allele identification tools have allowed us to generate information for genes of interest and their functional specificity. For genomics-assisted breeding the basic need is to have maximum genomic information, trait specific mapping populations and highly precise phenotyping facilities. In millets, whole genome sequence information of sorghum, pearl millet and foxtail millets are available, which can be utilized efficiently to identify candidate genes for abiotic stress tolerance and for advancing breeding strategies such as genomic selection. QTLs conferring stress tolerance have been identified in few of the major millet crops but fine mapping and development of gene specific markers for high throughput selection needs emphasis. This chapter is a brief account of the accomplishments made in field of genomics for important millet crops like sorghum, pearl millet, foxtail millet, proso millet etc. and its application in improving abiotic tolerance.

Background The management of potentially resectable stage III non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is controversial. Options include induction chemotherapy or induction chemoradiation followed by resection, or chemoradiation without surgery. No trial has compared the outcomes of induction chemoradiation using different radiation doses. We reviewed our experience involving patients with clinical stage III disease treated with trimodality therapy involving two radiation strategies to determine the response rates, operative results, recurrence patterns, and long-term survival. Methods A retrospective review was made of consecutive stage III NSCLC patients treated from 2004 to 2011. Results Fifty-two patients with clinical stage IIIa NSCLC were treated with trimodality therapy. Eighteen patients were treated to doses of 60 Gy or higher, and 34 to lower doses (45, 50, or 54 Gy). There were significantly more postoperative complications in the higher radiation group ( p p = 0.016) and mediastinal nodal clearance (75% versus 42%, p = 0.254) rates were also higher in the high-dose group. That did not, however, translate into better disease-free and overall survival rates. Importantly, long-term noncancer mortality was significantly higher after higher dose preoperative radiation therapy. Conclusions In this series of patients with clinical stage IIIa NSCLC treated with trimodality therapy, a higher dose of preoperative radiation therapy resulted in better response rates but that did not translate to better cancer-specific survival. Of significance, we observed a notably higher delayed noncancer mortality in the high-dose group.