In this study, we assessed the extent of genotypic differences among rice genotypes for grain size, milling quality, cooking properties, protein, and the mineral contents of Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu in unpolished rice varieties. Further, relationship among grain quality traits and mineral contents was determined. The results showed that the visible difference could be found in the mineral contents among rice genotypes studied. The contents of Fe and Zn in traditional genotypes were significantly higher than those of improved cultivars. There was a negative correlation between grain yield and mineral contents. However, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu contents appeared to be positively correlated. The relationships between mineral element contents and cooking quality traits viz., kernel length after cooking and kernel linear elongation ratio were positively correlated, indicated the role of micronutrients in cooking quality traits. Both Fe and Cu contents were correlated positively and significantly with head rice recovery. The eigen values of 1st 6 principal components (PC) were > 1.0. The present study suggests that breeding for high minerals will be probably realistic.

No abstract

SUMMARYField trials were conducted to study the effect of physical and chemical mutagens [Gamma rays, Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS) and Diethyl sulphate (DES)] on biometric characters viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of branches, fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight and fruit yield per plant and their correlations in five brinjal cultivars viz., Angoor, Annamalai, Hissar pragath, PLR 1 and Putheri. The results revealed that there had been strong association between number of fruits per plant and fruit weight with fruit yield per plant in M 3 generation.

SUMMARYSeed germination and seedling establishment are the critical stages for all the plants. Insufficient seed germination and seedling emergence under abiotic stress conditions are the main constraints in the production of crops. These abiotic stresses particularly during seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages will certainly affect the crops and drastically reduce not only the seed yield but also the quality of seeds. In this review, an attempt has been made to present the available literature on effect of drought and saline stress in important crops.

No abstract