With a view to mine the reason behind mango malformation malady and its causes, a cytological study has been conducted. In this study, reproductive biology of normal and malformed flowers was studied in the subtropical conditions of India, using the cultivars ‘Dasehari’ and ‘Amrapali’. In this regard, characteristics of flower, pollen biology and cross compatibility of normal and malformed flowers were analyzed, using microscopy techniques from the beginning of the blooming season. Results showed a large variations in flower characteristics of malformed panicles. The flower size (diameter) was large and arrangement of sepals were varied. Carpel number and curved style shape were other major abnormalities. Whereas, pollen grains from malformed tissues were large rhomboid, inaperculate and had large pollen size with the varied germ pores in different frequencies. Acetocarmine and FDA staining also evidenced pollen sterility. In crossability study, pollen adhesion and germinability was poor of malformed pollen grains also the germinating pollen tubes were blocked by callose plugs. The malformed flowers when taken as female flowers were unable to affect pollen adhesion, probably due to their curved/hooked structure. These results showed that low fruit set in mango in subtropical climates is due to abnormal pollen and flowering pattern.

Genetic analysis by using path coefficient and correlation studies of nine released bushy type cultivars (Arka Anoop, Akra Komal, Arka Arjun, Arka Sharath, Arka Suvidha, Pant Anupama, VL Beans-2, Phule Surekha and Kashi Sampan) of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a high valued vegetable genotypes was studied by using variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis to find out the variation, association among characters and to measure the direct and indirect contribution of twelve characters on fresh pod yield per plant. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation were of high magnitude for plant height, 100 green pod weight, 100 green seed weight, days to 50 % flowering, pod length, pod width as well as for number of primary branches per plant. The estimate of high heritability (bs) accompanied with high-expected genetic advance for green pod weight per plant and days to 50 % flowering indicating the presence of additive gene action in the expression of these characters which indicates that such traits can be improved by direct selection. The genotypic correlation studies of pod length (0.2266), pod width (0.1127), number of seeds per pod (0.0026), 100-green pod weight (0.0383), 100-green seed weight (0.3583), pod thickness (0.4283) and seed size (0.2260) indicated that green pod yield per plant exhibited stable positive association with traits expect days to 50 % flowering (-0.1917), number of primary branches (-0.0479) and plant height (-0.0342). While the phenotypic correlation revealed that, days to 50 % flowering (-0.1731), number of primary branches (-0.0358) and days to maturity (-0.0387) were negatively correlated and the rest of all characters were positively correlated with green pod yield per plant. The direct effects of path coefficient analysis revealed that the green pod yield per plant had positive and was significant with days to 50 % flowering (0.0588), pod width (0.9276), pod length (0.4526), number of seeds per pod (0.0062), 100 green pod weight (0.0652), 100 green seed weight (0.2128), pod thickness (0.3972), seed size (0.3709) and the rest of the effects of few characters were negative for number of primary branches (-0.0246) and days to maturity (-0.0068). Moreover, it was noticed that high indirect contribution was contributed through green pod yield per pod with most of the yield contributing traits. Hence, the traits viz., 100 green pod weight, days to 50 % flowering, number of seeds per pod and 100 green seed weight should be given more consideration while deciding about selection criteria for vegetable type genotypes in French beans.

The present investigation was undertaken with fifteen genotypes of Chickpea, (including one check) during Rabi 2017-18 in a randomized block design with three replications at field experimentation at Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higgin bottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences. The data were recorded for twelve characters to study genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path analysis. Analysis of variance among 15 genotypes showed highly significant differences for all the characters indicated the presence of substantial amount of genetic variability. On the basis of mean performance the highest seed yield was observed in genotype Vishal. The estimates of GCV and PCV were maximum for seed per pod, economical yield, biological yield and pods per plant. High heritability estimate were recorded for days to maturity, seeds per pod, days to 50% flowering and plant height. Genetic advance varied from 1.40 to 136.60. Maximum was observed for biological yield (136.60) and days to maturity (128.91) and maximum genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded for biological yield (70.86), economical yield (35.89) and pods per plant (25.34). The characters like biological yield, pods per plant, seeds per pod, and days to 50% flowering were positively and significantly correlated with economical yield at genotypic and phenotypic level. Path analysis indicated that biological yield, 100 seed weight, days to maturity and plant heighthad maximum positive direct effect on economical yield indicating that these characters could be used as selection criteria for yield improvement.

Fresh seeds were collected from various places of Northern India to study the effect of potting media and pre-treatments on germination of Ailanthus excelsa. Germination and mortality were recorded up to 60 days after sowing. The results of pre-treatment of seeds showed the highest germination (%) was found in alternate wetting and drying (93.85±0.52%) followed by hot water (92.31±0.16%) and mechanical scarification (90.00±0.38%) treatments. However, Minimum germination was recorded in nitric acid (76.92±0.34%) followed by boiled water (83.85±0.85%). Hundred percent seed mortality was observed in sulphuric acid. Whereas, maximum seedling mortality was recorded in potassium hydroxide (18.67±0.58%) followed by alternate wetting and drying, and mechanical scarification (13.33±0.58%) treatments. Effect of the composition of potting media on seed germination was also observed. Highest germination (92±1.73%) was observed in the potting mixture (I) ratio of 2:1:1 (Sand:Soil:Compost), followed by potting mixture (E) (86±1.73%; 18:1:1) and potting mixture (K) (85±1.73%; 6:7:7). Minimum germination was recorded in compost (63±2.00%) and coco-peat (65±1.00%). However, maximum seedling mortality (%) was recorded for potting media (E) (70±4.36%) followed by potting media K (69±3.00%; 6:7:7) and I (67±2.00%; 2:1:1). Minimum seedling mortality was observed in compost (2±1.00%) and coco-peat (16±4.36%), respectively. It could be concluded that the seeds with untreated, mechanical scarified, cold water treatment had very good germination percentage and were better than those pre-treated with chemical methods.

Phylogenetic relationships among 14 species of bamboo were established on the basis of morphological and biochemical parameters. Based on the pooled data analysis, Euclidean phenogram classified forteen species into five hierarchical clusters. Cluster IAaa had maximum number of species (7), cluster IAab had four species whereas cluster IAb comprises of Bambusa tulda, cluster IB had Bambusa multiplex and Cluster II had Bambusa vulgaris. The Euclidean distance coefficient was ranged from 0.449 to 2.242. The minimum genetic distance (0.449) was recorded between Melocanna baccifera and Bambusa bambos, while the maximum genetic distance (2.276) was found between Bambusa vulgaris and Bambusa multiplex. The phylogenetic relationships based on the dendrogram and principal component analysis was in accordance with the morphological bamboo classification system.

Thirty three Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs) of Melia dubia were selected based on the morphometric traits to identify suitable seed sources with clear bole and for production of quality seedlings for operational planting in different forestry and agroforestry programmes. Significant genetic variability and association were recorded among 33 CPTs for fruit and stone traits. Maximum 100 fruit weight (1.00 kg) was observed in Nagondapalli while maximum 100 seed weight (280 g) was observed in Kollegal 10. The stones were observed to have variations in their locule filling which could contribute to poor germination of seedlots. Locule filling was high in Kodipuram I (an average of 4 out of 5) which also recorded the highest germination. Mahalanobis’ D2 statistics and Tocher’s clustering method grouped the 33 seed sources into seven clusters when fruit characteristics were considered while the seed sources were grouped into 6 clusters when stone characteristics were considered. 100 Fruit Weight contributed maximum to divergence for fruits (87.88). Seedling traits in Melia dubia provide highest information on genetic divergence followed by stone traits. Fruits traits can also be considered when there is a need to further broaden the genetic base. Information on genetic divergence and genetic distance between genotypes helps in developing planting design to facilitate equal opportunity for hybridization among the genotypes. Seed orchards developed using genotypes from the clusters identified in the study would produce wider segregation. This will enhance the quality of seed produced in the ensuing generations and can be used for development of improved varieties.

Quantitative genetic parameters viz; variability, heritability, genetic gain and genetic correlation were studied on growth characteristics of willow (Salix spp.) viz., height (cm), collar diameter (mm), volume index, number of branches, number of nodes, internodal length (cm), leaf display (days), leaf area (sq. cm) and biomass parameters viz., fresh weight of shoot (g), dry weight of shoot (g), fresh weight of root (g), dry weight of root (g) and total dry biomass (g). All the growth and biomass traits showed wide ranges of values indicating the extent of variation existing in the clones. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the growth parameters. High heritability was recorded for height (0.958 %), collar diameter (0.927 %), volume index (0.906 %), leaf area (0.949 %), leaf display days (0.961 %) and number of branches (0.960 %). Genetic gain showed wide range (20.64% to 164.74%). This shows scope for improvement for these characters through clonal selection.