The development of nutritionally enhanced wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with higher levels of grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) offers a sustainable solution to micronutrient deficiency among resource-poor wheat consumers. One hundred and ninety recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from ‘Kachu’ × ‘Zinc-Shakti’ cross were phenotyped for grain Fe and Zn concentrations and phenological and agronomically important traits at Ciudad Obregon, Mexico in the 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020 growing seasons and Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) molecular marker data were used to determine genomic regions controlling grain micronutrients and agronomic traits. We identified seven new pleiotropic quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain Zn and Fe on chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2B, 6A, and 7D. The stable pleiotropic QTL identified have expanded the diversity of QTL that could be used in breeding for wheat biofortification. Nine RILs with the best combination of pleiotropic QTL for Zn and Fe have been identified to be used in future crossing programs and to be screened in elite yield trials before releasing as biofortified varieties. In silico analysis revealed several candidate genes underlying QTL, including those belonging to the families of the transporters and kinases known to transport small peptides and minerals (thus assisting mineral uptake) and catalyzing phosphorylation processes, respectively.

Twenty one rice genotypes were selected and screened under artificially controlled conditions to identify the rice blast disease reaction. Sixteen genotypes which were already reported to have resistance genes reacted negatively to the blast disease. Four genotypes were found to be susceptible. Highly significant, lower mean disease reaction score and mean PDI (potential disease incidence) % was recorded for Moroberekan, followed by Columbia 2 and ARBN 142 (Asian rice biological network). All the 21 genotypes along with 64 hybrids were evaluated for nine traits in a randomized block design over five replications. Genetic variability, character association and path-coefficient analysis were studied. Grain yield was kept as a dependant character and the results were analyzed. Analysis of variance revealed considerable variability among the genotypes for all the characters. The phenotypic correlation coefficient (PCV) values were slightly greater than genotypic correlation coefficient (GCV), revealing negligible influence of environment in character expression. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance and high GCV were observed for number of tillers/plant followed by number of productive tillers per plant, plant height and grain yield / plant. Characters like plant height, number of tillers / plant, number of productive tillers / plant, panicle length, filled grains per panicle and test weight had significant positive association with grain yield. Results of path-coefficient analysis revealed that, test weight exhibited maximum positive direct effect on grain yield / plant followed by filled grains / panicle, plant height, panicle length, number of tillers / plant and days to 50% flowering and they contributed primarily to yield and could be relied upon for selection of genotypes to improve genetic yield potential of rice.

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Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) gene which plays a key role in bio-synthesis of medicinally important compounds, Rutin/quercetin was sequence characterized for its efficient genomics application. These compounds possessing anti-diabetic and anti-cancer properties and are predominantly produced by Fagopyrum spp. In the present study, PAL gene was sequenced from three Fagopyrum spp. (F. tataricum, F. esculentum and F. dibotrys) and showed the presence of three SNPs and four insertion/deletions at intra and inter specific level. Among them, the potential SNP (position 949th bp G>C) with Parsimony Informative Site was selected and successfully utilised to individuate the zygosity/allelic variation of 16 F. tataricum varieties. Insertion mutations were identified in coding region, which resulted the change of a stretch of 39 amino acids on the putative protein. Our Study revealed that autogamous species (F. tataricum) has lower frequency of observed SNPs as compared to allogamous species (F. dibotrys and F. esculentum). The identified SNPs in F. tataricum didn’t result to amino acid change, while in other two species it caused both conservative and non-conservative variations. Consistent pattern of SNPs across the species revealed their phylogenetic importance. We found two groups of F. tataricum and one of them was closely related with F. dibotrys. Sequence characterization information of PAL gene reported in present investigation can be utilized in genetic improvement of buckwheat in reference to its medicinal value.