Genetic diversity among 20 cashew hybrids and their eight parents were assessed using 15 RAPD primers which resulted 1742 alleles with an average of 62.21alleles per genotype. RAPD profiles revealed 94 polymorphic bands out of total 107 scorable bands resulting 87.85% polymorphism. On an average 7.66 bands were produced with a range of 4-15 amplicons per primer. The maximum number (14) of polymorphic bands (210 to 3250bp) was produced by primer OU-34 with high polymorphic information content (PIC) and resolving power (Rp) values. Cashew hybrids H 6 and D 19 maintained very high level of average genetic dissimilarity with rest of the test genotypes. The above hybrids comprising the most divergent genetic group (Cluster-I) had shown significantly above average productivity and these could enrich the cashew gene pool for further genetic improvement for nut quality and yield per se. Besides, the genotype-specific bands identified in the present study are useful for identification of cashew genotypes.

<p><strong>Total seed storage protein profiles of 20 urdbean genotypes including the popular variety T9 were analysed by Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). 14 genotypes could be clearly identified based on genotype-specific seed protein fingerprints while rest of the test genotypes were categorized into three protein types. Dendrogram based on electrophoretic data clustered the genotypes into seven groups at 78.5% phenon level.  TU 95-1 with TU 12-25-4 revealed lowest similarity index value (0.33) followed by TU 95-1 with PU 30 and KU 96-3(SI=0.35). Clustering pattern revealed distinctly divergent group formed by TPU 95-1 and TPU 4. These may serve as a valuable source genotype in recombination breeding.   </strong></p><p><strong>Key words: </strong>Seed storage protein profiling, SDS-PAGE, Genetic variation, urdbean.<strong></strong></p>

<p><strong>A set of 292 mungbean germplasm accessions including 62 popularly adapted local land races and two wild forms (<em>Vigna radiata</em> var. sublobata), important breeding lines and standard ruling varieties were screened for drought stress tolerance at seedling stage.  Eight genotypes e.g., C. No. 35, OUM 14-1, OUM 49-2, Pusa 9072, OM 99-3, Banapur local B, Nipania munga, Kalamunga 1-A) have been identified to possess drought tolerance.  Globulin seed storage protein profiling was carried out in 19 selected mungbean genotypes comprising eight drought tolerant, seven drought sensitive, two wild forms of mungbean (TCR 20 and TCR 213) and two standard checks (LGG 460 and T 2-1</strong><strong>)</strong><strong> to explore differentially expressed polypeptides. Seed protein profiles revealed 15 scorable polypeptide bands with molecular weights ranging from 10.0 to 102.2kD. A specific 12.8kD polypeptide band was present in all above drought tolerant test genotypes including the wild accession TCR 20. Such a polypeptide band may serve as useful biochemical marker for identification of drought tolerant genotypes in mungbean. </strong></p><p><strong>            Key words: </strong>Genetic diversity, seed storage protein profile, wild and cultivated <em>Vigna radiata.</em><strong> </strong></p>

Rice is an autogamous crop. A number of varieties have been bred in this crop using conventional breeding. However, further genetic improvement for seed yield is rarely being achieved as the yield potential has already reached plateau. Recently, frequent disease, pests and insect out-break particularly in areas of intensive cultivation warrants immediate attention. Besides, there is a continuous shift in consumer's preference with the change in the life style. To keep pace with these problems, there is a need to reorient the rice breeding programs in order to short-cut the breeding cycle. Production of double haploids of elite crosses following androgenesis can be a way forward to fine tune the conventional breeding. In this review, the authors stressed upon the use of androgenesis in rice for genetic improvement of tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, quality traits and yield per se.