Pollen morphology, viability and in vitro germination are vital parameters for taxonomic classification, hybridization, artificial pollination and improving seed set in crop breeding. In the present study, we investigated the pollen morphological characteristics of four marigold genotypes using scanning electron microscopy, assessed pollen viability using Alexander’s stain and acetocarmine and evaluated in vitro germination under a light microscope using media supplemented with varying concentrations of sucrose and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Pollen grains were medium-sized (25–50 µm) and exhibited suboblate to oblate-spheroidal shapes, with a polar/equatorial ratio ranging from 0.84 to 0.88. All genotypes displayed tricolporate pollen grains with three colpi and endoaperture, and their aperture lengths were between 3.88 and 4.90 µm. Significant genotypic differences were observed in pollen viability, with the highest values recorded in IIHRMY 1-4 (96.66 ± 0.34%) using acetocarmine and in IIHRMY 2-1 (96.42 ± 0.51%) using Alexander’s stain. The optimal germination medium contained 15% sucrose and 15% PEG, with IIHRMY 1-4 exhibiting the highest pollen germination rate (54.09 ± 1.15%), followed by IIHRMY 2-1 (47.05 ± 1.27%). These findings offer valuable insights for marigold breeding programmes, particularly in selecting genotypes for efficient cross-pollination and hybrid development.

The Indo-Gangetic plains of India have been experiencing erratic weather and unpredictable rainfall patterns for the past 5 years, the average annual rainfall being 1200–1500 mm in the cropping season. Millets are generally grown in this region during the rainy season but environmental fluctuations result in heavy yield penalties in proso millet. Proso millet is one of the preferred crops of this region; however, it is very prone to yield loss due to flooding. Stability studies were conducted to investigate growing proso millet as a catch crop during summer (February–May) as it is a short-duration crop and can fit well in the existing cropping system. This study aims to determine the effect of genotype, environment and their interaction on grain yield and to identify more stable proso millet genotypes suitable for cultivation in the summer season. In total, 63 genotypes were evaluated for various agro-morphological traits for two summer and one kharif seasons. Stability analysis using a GGE biplot revealed that the proso millet performed better in the summer season than in the kharif season. This study has identified summer season as the most ideal environment for multilocation testing of wining genotypes RAU PM- 17, RAU PM-22, RAU PM-35, RAU PM-54, BR-7, TNAU-202 and TNAU-164 which has high stability for the summer season and can be used in breeding programmes as donor parents for traits like grain yield, 1000 grain weight, panicle length and number of productive tillers.

A set of 710 accessions of global durum wheat panel was obtained from the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dryland Areas (ICARDA) and evaluated for variability in 32 agro-morphological traits at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, India, during 2021–22 and 2022–23. The accessions were grouped based on the type of breeding material and geographical origin, and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) was calculated for each trait as well as each group. The H′ values ranged from 0.02 (grain crease) to 1.27 (wax of ear) with an overall mean of 0.63, when considering the entire set as a single group. Landraces exhibited higher variability (H′ = 0.64) as compared to released cultivars and evolutionary pre-breeding population lines (H′ = 0.55). Furthermore, accessions originating from West Asia exhibited the highest variability (H′ = 0.63). Traits such as coleoptile colour, plant growth habit, auricle colour and pubescence, flag leaf attitude, ear shape, presence or absence of awns, awns colour and attitude, glumes shape and pubescence, beak length, peduncle attitude, grain phenol colour, grain germ width and brush hair length were found suitable for distinguishing the present durum accessions due to their higher frequency distribution and Shannon–Wiener diversity index values. A core set of 13 accessions was developed using the programme Power Core. These accessions represent the overall variability of the entire set and can therefore serve as a potential source of new genes/alleles for the genetic enhancement of durum wheat. This durum panel may also serve as a valuable reference collection for global researchers in the characterization of durum wheat accessions.

Disease resistance breeding of wheat using molecular markers aims to efficiently identify and incorporate key resistance genes against stripe rust into elite wheat cultivars. This approach enhances the precision and speed of breeding programs to develop durable, resistant wheat varieties capable of withstanding Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) infections, ultimately contributing to sustainable wheat production and global food security. A total of 174 bread wheat genotypes, comprising 94 Turkish cultivars and 80 exotic landraces obtained from the USDA, were screened using gene-specific markers for the stripe rust resistance genes Yr15 and Yr5. The Yr15 resistance gene was detected in 31 genotypes, including 22 Turkish cultivars and nine USDA landraces. The Yr5 resistance gene was not found in any of the tested germplasm, but the susceptibility gene was identified in 77 genotypes. Turkish cultivars showed higher susceptibility to stripe rust, with 46 out of 94 genotypes vulnerable, compared to 25 out of 80 USDA genotypes. These findings highlight the urgent need to integrate Yr15 and other resistance genes into wheat breeding programs to enhance crop resilience against evolving Pst isolates, thereby ensuring sustainable wheat production and contributing to global food security.

Saccharum barberi is regarded as a sugarcane germ plasm resource of potential value. Tissue culture serves multiple purposes in breeding-related research for sugarcane. The response to tissue culture varies considerably among sugarcane genotypes; however, the influence of genetic differences on the tissue culture performance of S. barberi had not been previously investigated. This study evaluated the genotypic variation in tissue culture response among six accessions of S. barberi. Seven parameters were assessed to determine the tissue culture performance: callus induction frequency (CIF), embryogenic callus ratio, embryogenic callus induction frequency, callus regeneration frequency, callus regeneration coefficient, overall regeneration frequency (ORF) and overall regeneration coefficient (ORC). Significant variations (P < 0.05) were observed among the S. barberi genotypes for all parameters. The broad-sense heritability ranged from 80.77% to 93.10%, indicating that genetic differences were the primary source of genotypic variation. ORF exhibited the highest diversity among the parameters, with a genotypic coefficient of variation up to 70.06%. Pansahi was identified as the most amenable genotype to tissue culture, demonstrating superior performance in both callus induction and plant regeneration. CIFs at different induction periods were strongly positively correlated with both ORF and ORC, particularly during the first week, suggesting that CIF may serve as a promising early predictor of overall regeneration competence. This study is the first to report the effect of genotypic variation on callus induction and plant regeneration of S. barberi, and the findings will be valuable for future research involving tissue culture in this species.

Stagnant flooding (SF) is a unique and prolonged flooding condition characterized by standing water levels of 25–50 cm that persist for extended periods, sometimes throughout the entire crop duration. Most Sub1 introgressed rice varieties, while effective against flash flooding, remain susceptible to SF due to restricted shoot elongation. Tolerance to SF in the elite O. sativa genetic pool is very rare. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of interspecific pre-breeding populations developed from crosses between the tolerant African rice landrace GERVEX 2674 (Oryza glaberrima) and three sensitive O. sativa elite breeding lines. The populations were assessed under controlled and SF conditions across three seasons in Nigeria. GERVEX 2674 and its better-performing progenies exhibited moderate elongation and a higher number of tillers under SF, resulting in higher grain yield and plant survival under SF stress. Moderate elongation and high tillering ability were identified as key adaptive traits for maintaining higher productivity under SF. QTL analysis revealed 20 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) across nine chromosomes, with minor effects associated with key agronomic traits such as grain yield, survival percentage, days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of panicles and tillers. A key QTL identified for days to 50% flowering qdtf-12 explaining 10.5% of observed phenotypic variation. The best-performing lines from these interspecific pre-breeding populations showed strong promise for further utilization in breeding for improved SF tolerance in O. sativa.

The northeast region of India, part of the Indo–Burma biodiversity hotspot, is a vital reservoir of genetic diversity for agricultural crops, particularly rice. Chakhao, the black scented rice of Manipur, India is celebrated for its mild nutty flavour, distinctive aroma and high anthocyanin content. This study evaluated 22 economically significant Chakhao landraces using DUS characterization, along with biochemical and molecular profiling. Key findings revealed low amylose content (3.4–6.97%) and diverse grain types, predominantly short to medium slender. Anthocyanin concentrations varied widely, with certain genotypes surpassing 350 mg/100 g – levels even higher than those found in blueberries. Notably, landraces such as Chakhao_Bn-4, Chakhao_Ch-2, Chakhao_Cp-1 and Chakhao_IE-1 exhibited exceptional anthocyanin content (>390 mg/100 g), making them excellent candidates for future breeding programs. These lines also score the highest (9 – dark purple) in decorticated grains colour, a key trait for geographical indication (GI) status. Anthocyanin-related traits such as were the primary contributors to phenotypic diversity in the first three principal components, while structural and developmental traits influenced subsequent components. The study also revealed a striking lack of similarity in groupings based on morphological versus molecular data, as indicated by a low Baker’s Gamma correlation coefficient (0.034). Multivariate analysis integrating both data types highlighted substantial genetic and phenotypic diversity, reinforcing the necessity for comprehensive conservation strategies. The recent GI status of Chakhao has boosted global interest in Chakhao, prompting an initiate crop improvement program utilizing these landraces to drive economic resilience in marginal farming communities.

This study examines fodder quality traits of Hippophae salicifolia D. Don (Seabuckthorn) populations across the Western Himalayas of India, emphasizing their significance in domestication and sustainable utilization of indigenous fodder tree. In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand regions, foliage of H. salicifolia serves as essential winter forage for livestock and is incorporated into local tea formulations. Fifty female genotypes were selected for evaluation from ten distinct geographical locations. Analysis of variance highlighted significant variability among the populations, with Badya population demonstrating the highest leaf fresh weight. In contrast, the Kardang population exhibited optimal values of leaf dry weight and total ash content. Sansha population was characterized by the highest leaf dry matter, crude protein and nitrogen levels, whereas the Jankichatti population showed the highest crude fibre content, and Sissu had the highest nitrogen-free extract value. Significant positive correlations were identified between leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight (0.613), and between dry matter content and crude protein (0.458), indicating the potential to enhance these traits in breeding programs aimed at improving fodder quality. Accessions were grouped into two primary clusters, and leaf dry matter was the dominant factor influencing fodder quality variability, explaining 85.272% of the total variance. These findings will inform targeted breeding strategies and agricultural practices intended to augment the nutritional profile of this vital fodder resource. Moreover, the study underscores the potential of H. salicifolia as both a livestock forage and a viable component of agroforestry systems, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in the Western Himalayas.