Abiotic stresses can directly or indirectly affect the physiological status of an organism by altering its metabolism, growth, and development. The leaf growth and Chlorophyll content has significantly shown to vary from the control ones while the grain yield was not affected. While many plant species naturally accumulate proline and protein as major organic osmolytes when subjected to different abiotic stresses. These compounds are thought to play adaptive roles in mediating osmotic adjustment and protecting sub cellular structures in stressed plants. Different approaches have been contemplated to increase the concentrations of proline like compounds in plants grown under stress conditions to increase their stress tolerance. Seven different traditional rice varieties of Assam were evaluated for their response to osmolyte production under physiological drought condition through simulation at three levels of osmotic stress of 0.15 bar, 0.25 bar and 0.56 bar of physiological drought initiated by polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Along with the evaluation for osmolyte response the different components of genotypic variation for six different drought-sustaining characters in the seven rice varieties were also substantiated. The results indicated that plant height and seed number have significant genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) and heritability. Verities like Laodubi, Leserihali, Beriabhanga and Borah were screened out as the best drought sustaining variety.

Northeast India is known for its diverse nature of soil, climate, and topography that supports rich banana diversity. Banana (Musa sp.) is the second most important fruit crop in India due to its availability throughout the year, taste along with the nutritive and medicinal value. Thus, the genetic diversity of banana resources is essential for present and future food. This study aimed to determine the comparative genetic variation among 14 non-commercial edible banana cultivars of Assam, India, by using 50 different morphological characters with ISSR markers. Morphological data were analyzed hierarchical clusters and principal coordinates which showed to cluster all the accessions into two distinct groups and subsequently into four subgroups. Furthermore, ISSR markers revealed the average percentage of polymorphism. A total of 62 bands were detected of which 56 bands showed polymorphism using seven primers. The highest number of the band was detected with the primer UBC-843 and the lowest number of the band was observed with UBC-848. The genetic similarity index was prepared using Jaccard's similarity coefficient and the range of genetic similarity was from 0.28 to 0.77 with 0.51 of average. Dendrogram produced from the cluster analysis showed the clear division of the genotypes into two distinct clusters. Seven accessions of viz. Bharatmoni, Assamiya-malbhog, Gobin tulashi, Bokmoni, Bangali-malbhog, Katiya-jahaji, and Abormalbhog were clustered in the first group. The second group included the accessions viz. Jatikol, Adeel, Guwahatia-kol, Fessamonohar, Athiya kol, Ximalu-monohar, and Bogi-monohar. The Mantel test analysis also showed positive relationships between morphological traits and ISSR markers.

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