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HHB 226 is a popular, high-yielding pearl millet hybrid cultivated widely in the Northern part of India. Drought stress at post-flowering stage is one of the major constraints in realizing potential yields of this hybrid. Developing drought-tolerant pearl millet hybrid HHB 226 is priority for pearl millet breeders. Transferring the drought-tolerant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from donor source (863 B) to male parent of HHB 226 (HBL 11) was undertaken to improve HHB 226. The drought-tolerant donor source, 863 B was backcrossed with recurrent parent (HBL 11) up to BC3F1 generation and drought-tolerant QTLs were transferred through marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) strategy. Four polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to drought-tolerant QTLs were used to select the plants with drought-tolerant QTLs in each generation. In BC3F1 generation, four such plants were selected. Background selection was done in BC2F1 and BC3F1 generations for recovery of recurrent parent genome. Thirty-two background markers, found polymorphic out of 64 primers screened, were further used for background selection. About 80% of recurrent parent genome has been recovered in selected plants of BC3F1 generation. The results demonstrated that drought-tolerant QTLs transferred through MAS successfully improved drought tolerance in HHB 226.

Aim The aim is a dosimetric comparison of dynamic conformal arc integrated with the segment shape optimization and variable dose rate (DCA_SSO_VDR) versus VMAT for liver SBRT and interaction of various treatment plan quality indices with PTV and degree of modulation (DoM) for both techniques. Background The DCA is the state-of-the-art technique but overall inferior to VMAT, and the DCA_SSO_VDR technique was not studied for liver SBRT. Materials and methods Twenty-five patients of liver SBRT treated using the VMAT technique were selected. DCA_SSO_VDR treatment plans were also generated for all patients in Monaco TPS using the same objective constraint template and treatment planning parameters as used for the VMAT technique. For comparison purpose, organs at risk (OARs) doses and treatment plans quality indices, such as maximum dose of PTV (D max %), mean dose of PTV (D mean %), maximum dose at 2 cm in any direction from the PTV (D 2cm %), total monitor units (MU’s), gradient index R 50% , degree of modulation (DoM), conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), and healthy tissue mean dose (HTMD) were compared. Results Significant dosimetric differences were observed in several OARs doses and lowered in VMAT plans. The D 2cm %, R 50% , CI, HI and HTMD are dosimetrically inferior in DCA_SSO_VDR plans. The higher DoM results in poor dose gradient and better dose gradient for DCA_SSO_VDR and VMAT treatment plans, respectively. Conclusions For liver SBRT, DCA_SSO_VDR treatment plans are neither dosimetrically superior nor better alternative to the VMAT delivery technique. A reduction of 69.75% MU was observed in DCA_SSO_VDR treatment plans. For the large size of PTV and high DoM, DCA_SSO_VDR treatment plans result in poorer quality.

In the present study, the effect of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) on the quality of low sperm doses at post-thaw was evaluated. Twenty four ejaculates (6 from each bull) were collected and split into eight aliquots. First four aliquots were diluted up to 20-, 15-, 10- and 5-million sperm/0.25 ml, and remaining four were treated with CLC at the rate of 1 mg/120 million spermatozoa, followed by dilution up to 20-, 15-, 10- and 5-million sperm/0.25 ml. The diluted semen was equilibrated, cryopreserved and evaluated post-thaw. The averages of total motility, progressive motility, average path velocity, straight linear velocity, membrane intact spermatozoa and noncapacitated spermatozoa were higher (p .05) in CLC-treated sperm doses compared to control ones. However, the moribund spermatozoa, capacitated spermatozoa and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa were reduced (p .05) in CLC-treated spermatozoa compared to control. The curvilinear velocity and linearity did not differ (p .05) between control and CLC-treated sperm doses. In conclusion, treatment of spermatozoa with CLC at the rate of 1 mg/120 million spermatozoon attenuates the dilution effect and improves the quality of bovine low sperm insemination doses during cryopreservation; hence it could be a favourable cryoprotectant for preserving bovine semen at higher dilutions.

Background: Cryopreservation is an invaluable technique yet it is also known to be detrimental to sperm function and fertility due to cryo-injury and concomitant generation of reactive oxidants. During laboratory manipulation for the cryopreservation and freeze-thaw process, spermatozoa undergo osmotic stress, ionic imbalance, metabolic decoupling, membrane phase transition, destabilization of the cytoskeleton and antioxidant depletion which communally hampers the semen quality.Methods: With the aim of determining implications of cryopreservation and storage, semen samples were collected by artificial vagina technique from 12 Murrah bulls and subsequently examined at 0 hour (before cryopreservation) and at 24 hour, 1 month and 2 month of storage for various seminal attributes. Simultaneously seminal plasma was separated and preserved at -20oC till the analysis of biochemical indicators of semen quality viz., nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidant quantity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation status (TBARS). Result: A sharp reduction (p less than 0.01) in the semen quality was observed only at 24 h after cryopreservation except for viability. Significant reduction (p less than 0.05) in viable counts was observed up to 1 month interval. The capacitated sperm percentage was greater (p less than 0.01) in the cryopreserved semen as compared to fresh ejaculate. The mean ± SE levels of NO (μmol/L), TAC and TBARS (Units/ml) was 2.31±0.27, 0.73±0.04 and 1.11±0.16 respectively in seminal plasma of neat semen stored at -20oC, while the values in the extended seminal plasma after cryopreservation was 2.37±0.31, 0.44±0.03 and 0.65±0.03 respectively. So it can be inferred that most of the damage encountered by spermatozoa is during the initial period of freezing, but the damage associated by various stressors cannot be ignored.

Introduction: The impact of dose heterogeneity within the tumor on TCP and NTCP was studied using various radiobiological models. The effect of the degree of heterogeneity index (HI) on TCP was also analyzed. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven pre-treated liver SBRT cases were included in this study. Two different kinds of treatment techniques were employed. In both arms, the prescribed dose was received by 95% of the PTV. Initially, the inhomogeneous treatment plans (IHTP) were made in which the spatial change of dose within the PTV was high and the maximum dose within the PTV can go up to 160%. Subsequently, in another arm, homogeneous treatment plans (HTP) were generated in which PTV was covered with the same prescription isodose and the maximum dose can go up to 120%. As per RTOG 1112, all organs at risk (OAR’s) were considered while optimization of the treatment plans. TCP was calculated using the Niemierko and Poisson model. NTCP was calculated using the Niemierko and LKB fractionated model. Results: For the IHTP, TCP was decreasing as ‘a’ value decreased in the Niemierko model whereas, for HTP, TCP was found to be the same. NTCP of the normal liver was less in IHTP as compared to HTP, and the Niemierko model overestimates the NTCP as compared to LKB fractionated model. NTCP for all other OAR’s was Conclusion: IHTP is found to be clinically better than HTP because NTCP of the normal liver was significantly less and TCP was more for certain ‘a’ values of the Niemierko model and the Poisson model. There is not any effect of HI on TCP was observed. Advances in knowledge: IHTP could be used clinically because of the dose-escalation and subsequently, leads to an increase in the TCP.

The present study compared the effect of mitochondria-targeted (Mitoquinone, MitoQ) and untargeted cytosolic antioxidant (Resveratrol, RESV) supplementation on lipid peroxidation (LPO) and in-vitro sperm functions of cryopreserved buffalo bull semen. To optimize additive's concentration, sperm pellet obtained from twenty-four ejaculates was supplemented with different concentrations of MitoQ (20 nM, 100 nM, 200 nM); and RESV (10 μM, 25 μM, 50 μM) against control in the extender. The post-thaw sperm motility, livability, and membrane integrity were higher (P 0.05) in 200 nM MitoQ and 50 μM RESV than other concentrations used. In another experiment, sperm pellet from thirty-two ejaculates was supplemented with 200 nM MitoQ and 50 μM RESV in the extender. Pre-freeze and post-thaw progressive motility and livability were higher (P 0.05) in MitoQ (200 nM) than RESV (50 μM) treatment. MitoQ supplementation improved post-thaw membrane integrity (CFDA-PI) higher (P 0.05) than RESV, however, hypo-osmotic swelling response observed no improvement with RESV treatment. Post-thaw LPO rate was lower (P 0.05) and Bovine cervical mucus penetration was higher (P 0.05) in MitoQ than RESV treatment. In post-thaw semen, MitoQ showed higher (P 0.05) proportion of acrosome intact (FITC-PNA), live non-apoptotic (P 0.01) sperm with a higher reduction (P 0.05) in membrane scrambling. MitoQ improved (P 0.01) proportion of sperm with high Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and low LPO (P 0.01) than RESV treatment. In conclusion, improvement in post-thaw in-vitro sperm functions and cryo-tolerance was more evident in MitoQ than RESV supplemented buffalo bull semen. Our study provides a better strategy to mitigate oxidative stress by enhancing mitochondrial antioxidant system with targeted antioxidants than cytosolic antioxidant supplementation.

Objective: The development of a stringent derivative-based gamma (DBG) index for patient-specific QA in stereotactic radiotherapy treatment planning (SRTP) to account for the spatial change in dose. Methods: Twenty-five patients of liver SBRT were selected retrospectively for this study. Deliberately, two different kinds of treatment planning approaches were used for each patient. Firstly, the treatment plans were generated using a conventional treatment planning (CTP) approach in which the target was covered with a homogeneous dose along with the nominal dose fall-off around the treatment field. Subsequently, the other treatment plans were generated using an SRTP approach with the intent of heterogeneous dose within the target region along with a steeper dose gradient outside the treatment field as much as possible. For both kinds of treatment plans, two dimensional (2D) conventional gamma (CG) and DBG analysis were performed using the 2D ion chamber array and radiochromic film. Results: Difference in the DBG index was statistically significant whereas, for CG analysis, the difference in CG index was insignificant for both types of treatment plans (CTP and SRTP). A significant positive correlation was observed between the difference in the DBG index and the difference in HI for high gamma criteria. Conclusion: The DBG evaluation is found to be more rigorous, and sensitive to the only SRTP. The proposed method could be opted-in the routine clinical practice in addition to CG. Advances in knowledge: DBG is more sensitive to detect the spatial change of dose, especially in high dose gradient regions.

Reproductive managements of buffalo during the summer season a challenging task livestock’s owner. There are different factors contributes to this condition; the most important are consequence of i...

Downy mildew (DM) caused by Sclerospora graminicola is the most calamitous disease of pearl millet. Therefore, for introgression of DM resistance (DMR) in HHB 197 (MH-1302), an elite pearl millet hybrid, a marker-assisted breeding was undertaken by targeting three DMR loci on linkage groups (LGs) 1, 2 and 4. Breeding programme was initiated by crossing HBL 11 (DM susceptible), male parent of HHB 197 hybrid with ICMP 451 (DM-resistant) to produce true F1 plants. By conducting three rounds of backcrossing and selection, BC3F1 lines were generated. Foreground selection was employed using six polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers of the 18 total selected markers. Four of these markers were linked to LG 1, five to LG 2 and nine to LG 4. Background selection was performed in BC3F1 generation using 33 polymorphic SSR markers of a total of 56 evenly spread SSR markers in the pearl millet genome to check recovery of recurrent parent genome. On the basis of genotypic selection (foreground as well as background) using selected SSR markers, agronomic performance in field and DM screening in greenhouse; 10 improved HBL 11 lines were selected and crossed with ICMA 97111 to produce DM-resistant HHB 197 hybrid versions. Six putatively improved HHB 197 hybrids were successfully tested in first year trials at Hisar and Bawal locations of Haryana and two selected versions with higher yield and zero DM incidence will be further tested in multilocation trials.

Present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of scrotal surface temperature gradient, testicular covering thickness and scrotal circumference on semen quality in Murrah bulls. Murrah buffalo bulls (n = 18), were selected from Artificial Breeding Research Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, for the present study. Testicular parameters viz. scrotal surface temperature (SST), scrotal circumference (SC) and testicular covering thickness (TCT) of individual bulls were measured. Temperature of scrotum (Proximal Pole Temperature, Mid Pole Temperature, Distal Pole Temperature, Right Epididymis and Left Epididymis) was measured three times a day per week during peak winter season. Semen quality attributes viz., volume, mass motility, non-eosinophilic sperm and sperm abnormalities of each ejaculate were evaluated. The TCT and SC were measured by using ultrasonography and measuring tape, respectively. The bulls were divided into three groups on the basis of scrotal surface temperature Gradient (SSTG) (Group I- ≤ 4 oC, Group II- 4.1- 6.8 oC and Group III- ≥6.9 oC) and into two Groups on the basis of TCT (Group I- 4.53-5.28 and Group II- 5.36-7.36 mm) and SC (Group I- 28-31 and Group II- 32-35 cm). Mass activity and non-eosinophilic sperm count was improved significantly (P

Background Delivering Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is challenging mainly for two reasons: first, motion of the liver occurs in six degrees of freedom and, second, delineation of the tumor is difficult owing to a similar density of HCC to that of the adjoining healthy liver tissue in a non-contrast CT scan. To overcome both these challenges simultaneously, we performed a feasibility study to synchronize intravenous contrast to obtain an arterial and a delayed phase 4D CT. Materials and Methods We included seven HCC patients of planned for SBRT. 4D CT simulation was performed with synchronized intravenous contrast based on the formula TSCAN DELAY = Tpeak – (L0/Detector Coverage × Cine Duration in Seconds). This was followed by a delayed 4D CT scan. Results We found that, with our protocol, it is feasible to obtain a 4DCT with an arterial and a delayed phase making it comparable to a diagnostic multi-phase CT. The peak HU of the 4D scan and diagnostic CT were similar (mean peak HU 134.2 vs 143.1, p value = 0.58 N.S). Whereas in comparison with a non-contrast CT a significant rise in the peak HU was seen (mean peak 134.2 vs 61.4 p value = .00003). Conclusion A synchronized contrast 4D CT simulation for HCC is safe and feasible. It results in good contrast enhancement comparable to a diagnostic 3D contrast CT scan.

The present study explored the effect of anandamide supplementation in the extender on quality of low sperm doses during cryopreservation in Sahiwal bulls. Each fresh semen sample was split into eight aliquots (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII). The aliquots I, II, III and IV were taken as control and diluted to 20, 15, 10 and 5 million spermatozoa/0.25 ml respectively. The aliquots V, VI, VII and VIII were diluted with extender (supplemented with anandamide at 1 µM/ml of extender) to 20, 15, 10 and 5 million spermatozoa/0.25 ml respectively. This was followed by filling of diluted semen into French mini straws, equilibrated at 4°C of 4 hr and cryopreserved. The results revealed that the proportions of motile spermatozoa, live spermatozoa and live acrosome intact spermatozoa were significantly (p < .05) higher in all anandamide-treated sperm doses compared to control. The proportions of moribund spermatozoa, dead acrosome intact spermatozoa and capacitated spermatozoa were significantly (p < .05) reduced in all anandamide-treated sperm doses compared to control, with no difference in proportion of dead acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. In conclusion, anandamide supplementation in the extender increases the post-thaw quality of low sperm doses during cryopreservation in bulls.

To model the interplay effect and minimize it by a selection of optimum parameters value using a predictive model for SBRT of liver cancers. Ten cases of liver tumors treated with the VMAT technique were selected retrospectively. The dosimetric error due to the interplay effect was measured with a micro ionization chamber (0.015cm3) in a Quasar phantom simulating the moving tumor. The interplay effect dependent parameter’s viz. patient breaths per minute, the amplitude of respiration, fractional dose (FD), plan complexity due to different energies (Relative degree of modulation), degree of modulation due to a different level of dose optimization constraints, and dose rate (DR) were measured. For the predictive model, mathematical equations were modeled in python from 300 combinations of proposed parameters using multivariate regression analysis. It was observed that the dose variation reduced from −8.44% to −5.16% for change in the BPM values from 7 to 31 and similarly for amplitude, the dose variation reduced from −9.44% to −4.93% for change in amplitude value from 16 mm to 2 mm. The DR and FD have a prominent effect with R2 values of 0.990 and 0.880 respectively. The calculated mean square errors of equations excluding amplitude for the predictive model were 0.90 and 0.82 whereas those for equations excluding BPM were 1.31 and 1.41 for 6 MV and 10 MV beams respectively. The values of the parameters can be prospectively optimized by the use of the predictive model according to clinical situations, so dose variation can be minimized.

Greater than optimal diluting of semen for producing a large number of doses containing relatively small numbers of sperm can lead to compromised quality of sperm, post-thawing. In the present study the French mini-straw plug position was modified and the effect of re-positioning was evaluated on the quality of sperm after thawing subsequent to cryopreservation of small doses of sperm. Four types of mini-straws were used based on the position of cotton plug including no plug displacement (Type 1; Manufacturers location for plug-placement in 0.25 mL French mini-straws), and Type II, III, and IV with re-positioning the cotton plug being 2.5, 5, and 7.5 cm, respectively, further from the manufacturer's placement location. Each ejaculate was proportioned into four Aliquots (I, II, III, and IV) and diluted to 80, 60, 40, and 20, million sperm/mL, respectively. Aliquot I was placed in all types of straws, while Aliquots II, III, IV were placed only in Type I straws. Semen straws were equilibrated, cryopreserved and sperm kinetic and functional variables were evaluated post-thawing. The results indicate that in Aliquots III and IV there were lesser (P < 0.05) values for sperm kinetic and function variables compared with sperm from Aliquot I (i.e., unmodified mini-straw). In conclusion, cryopreservation of small doses of sperm in modified French mini-straws resulted in acceptable values for kinetic and function variables, post-thawing.

The membrane and acrosomal integrity of sperm play a vital role in fertilization process; however they are compromised upon cryopreservation.To study the effect of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) on membrane and acrosome status of Hariana bull sperm during cryopreservation.Semen samples collected from Hariana bulls with mass motility ≥ 3+ and individual progressive motility ≥ 70% were utilized in the study. Each ejaculate was split into two parts, one part being evaluated freshly for various seminal attributes and the other part being diluted in Tris diluent (without egg yolk and glycerol) to obtain a final concentration of 120×10The membrane and acrosomal integrity was significantly higher in group II as compared to groups I, III, and IV, at pre-freeze and post-thaw stage (P0.05). The primary and secondary acrosomal damage were significantly reduced in group II compared to other groups (P0.05). No significant difference in tertiary acrosomal damage was found among different groups.CLC improves the membrane and acrosomal integrity, and reduces primary and secondary acrosomal damages during cryopreservation of Hariana bull sperm.

The present study was undertaken to characterize pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] hybrids and their parents on the basis of morphological descriptors with the objective to identify key diagnostic characters of the genotypes. A set of 24 pearl millet genotypes (7 hybrids and their 17 parental lines) was evaluated in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications at two locations, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU) Hisar and Regional Research Station (RRS) Bawal (Rewari) under irrigated and rainfed conditions, respectively, during kharif, 2011. Observations were recorded for 28 morphological and yield characters. All genotypes were classified into different groups based on each character. Nodal pubescence, nodal pigmentation, spike shape, spike density, spike tip sterility, sheath pubescence and spikelet glum colour distinguished all the 24 genotypes by assigning them key diagnostic features that would certainly help the plant breeders, seed growers and seed certification agencies to use these diagnostic characters. Hybrids HHB 216, HHB 226, HHB 117 could be differentiated by bristle length, spikelet glume colour and spike tip sterility. Majority of the morphological characters found to be dominant in the hybrids were contributed by the male parent. Key words: Pearl millet, morphological descriptor, characterization, key diagnostic character.

Downy mildew (DM) caused by

The cryopreservation of sperm is a well established technique that plays an essential role in dissemination of elite germplasm of livestock. Despite having numerous advantages, the cryopreservation induces certain stresses on sperm including structural and functional damages leading to impaired sperm quality and fertility, which might be associated with production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, the ROS upon reacting with sperm lipids, DNA and proteins may lead to a cascade of sperm damages. The sperm membrane contains a rich amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which increases their susceptibility to oxidative stress induced damages, leading to formation of secondary products. These secondary products result in oxidation of sperm proteins via carbonylation. The carbonylation could lead to disturbances in specific proteins that are involved in capacitation. The present review deals with sperm protein carbonylation.

Phosphorus is an essential element for all life forms. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria are capable of converting phosphate into a bioavailable form through solubilization and mineralization processes. Hence in the present study a phosphate solubilizing bacterium, PSB-37, was isolated from mangrove soil of the Mahanadi river delta using NBRIP-agar and NBRIP-BPB broth containing tricalcium phosphate as the phosphate source. Based on phenotypic and molecular characterization, the strain was identified as Serratia sp. The maximum phosphate solubilizing activity of the strain was determined to be 44.84 μg/ml, accompanied by a decrease in pH of the growth medium from 7.0 to 3.15. During phosphate solubilization, various organic acids, such as malic acid (237 mg/l), lactic acid (599.5 mg/l) and acetic acid (5.0 mg/l) were also detected in the broth culture through HPLC analysis. Acid phosphatase activity was determined by performing p-nitrophenyl phosphate assay (pNPP) of the bacterial broth culture. Optimum acid phosphatase activity was observed at 48 h of incubation (76.808 U/ml), temperature of 45 °C (77.87 U/ml), an agitation rate of 100 rpm (80.40 U/ml), pH 5.0 (80.66 U/ml) and with glucose as a original carbon source (80.6 U/ml) and ammonium sulphate as a original nitrogen source (80.92 U/ml). Characterization of the partially purified acid phosphatase showed maximum activity at pH 5.0 (85.6 U/ml), temperature of 45 °C (97.87 U/ml) and substrate concentration of 2.5 mg/ml (92.7 U/ml). Hence the present phosphate solubilizing and acid phosphatase production activity of the bacterium may have probable use for future industrial, agricultural and biotechnological application.

Low sperm numbers in artificial insemination (AI)-doses are being used widely to make the best use of high genetic value bulls as well as sex-sorted semen. Sperm concentration needed for AI to obtain reasonable fertility, taking genetic value of bull and numerous others components into consideration is one of the essential constituents for successful AI breeding program. However, low sperm concentrations in AI-doses lead to reducing post-thaw viability. The reduction in viability of low sperm doses may be affected by fresh semen volume, sperm number and seminal plasma level at final dilution. Reduction in quality and fertility of low sperm doses is one of the limitations for their use in successful AI programme. Sperm number per AI required to achieve optimum fertility is one of the main crucial things to AI industry, and numerous efforts have been made in this regard. Due to great variability among bulls, sperm number per AI could be a limiting factor in achieving acceptable fertility values. Fertility of low sperm doses may vary among bulls, and non-return rates (NRRs) with low sperm doses may be determined by fertility level of bull. On the basis of individual bulls, sperm numbers in AI doses needed to be adjusted to reduce the variations in NRRs among bulls. Utilizing high fertile bulls for low sperm doses with acceptable non-return rates (NRRs) may be a way to cover a large number of bovines under AI in countries like India. Deposition site within the uterine horn may alter non return rates following inseminations with low sperm doses. Following deep-uterine inseminations, acceptable pregnancies may be achieved with low sperm doses and even if ovulation side is unknown.

Availability of diverse cultivars is essential in order to meet necessity of regional adaptation to various climatic conditions and to fulfil the farmers’ need of differential preference of various phenotypic traits in pearl millet. The present study attempted to quantify the degree of diversity in commercial hybrids of pearl millet and to understand the relationship among various phenotypic and quality traits. A total of 122 commercial hybrids were evaluated at three diverse locations. Results showed large variation for flowering time (42-58 days), tillering (1.1-4.4 panicles/plant), individual grain size (7.6-17.3 mg), plant height (185-268 cm), panicle length (20-33 cm) and grain yield (35-72 q/ha). Clustering of hybrids resulted in 7 distinct clusters, which highlighted the successful efforts of national programme of pearl millet improvement toward genetic diversification of hybrids. These results are discussed as to how this reported diversity has helped in extending the hybrid technology in some of the most difficult and diverse production ecologies. Phenology, tillering and height had significant influence on yields of hybrids. Taller hybrids provided higher yield. Hybrids with lesser duration and shorter height produced more tillers and tillering decreased with the increase in panicle length. The correlation of grain yield with Fe and Zn concentration in grains was not significant suggesting that both these micronutrients can be improved without significantly compromising on grain yield.