Loss of seed viability is a serious hurdle in higher production and ambient seed storage of soybean. Understanding the factors affecting seed viability and identi cation of soybean genotype(s) with higher viability is critical for higher soybean production. In this study, seeds of 125 soybean genotypes of three different species (Glycine tomentella, Glycine soja and Glycine max) and 25 RILs (Glycine soja × Glycine soja) were tested for germination immediately after harvest followed by one, two and three years of ambient storage. Fresh seeds of all the genotypes recorded 78-99% germination with a mean of 94.02%. However, the mean value of per cent germination of all the genotypes after one, two and three years of ambient storage decreased and found to stand at 79.51%, 52.24% and 29.18%, respectively. Among the genotypes tested, G. tomentella accession registered highest seed storability followed by G. soja, RILs and G. max. After three years of storage, 14 wild type genotypes and 3 RILs maintained >70% germination and identi ed as 'good storers'. Genetic divergence studies via k-mean clustering and principal component analysis grouped all genotypes in three cluster/component based on seed size, seed coat permeability and seed viability. Seed viability was signi cantly and negatively correlated with electrical conductivity. Good storers found to be having slow imbibition rate than poor storers in initial hours of imbibition. The good storing genotypes identi ed in this study will serve as an elite soybean genetic resource in developing the soybean cultivars with better seed longevity.

Loss of seed viability is a serious hurdle in higher production and ambient seed storage of soybean. Understanding the factors affecting seed viability and identification of soybean genotype(s) with higher viability is critical for higher soybean production. In this study, seeds of 125 soybean genotypes of three different species (Glycine tomentella, Glycine soja and Glycine max) and 25 RILs (Glycine soja × Glycine soja) were tested for germination immediately after harvest followed by one, two and three years of ambient storage. Fresh seeds of all the genotypes recorded 78-99% germination with a mean of 94.02%. However, the mean value of per cent germination of all the genotypes after one, two and three years of ambient storage decreased and found to stand at 79.51%, 52.24% and 29.18%, respectively. Among the genotypes tested, G. tomentella accession registered highest seed storability followed by G. soja, RILs and G. max. After three years of storage, 14 wild type genotypes and 3 RILs maintained >70% germination and identified as ‘good storers’. Genetic divergence studies via k-mean clustering and principal component analysis grouped all genotypes in three cluster/component based on seed size, seed coat permeability and seed viability. Seed viability was significantly and negatively correlated with electrical conductivity. Good storers found to be having slow imbibition rate than poor storers in initial hours of imbibition. The good storing genotypes identified in this study will serve as an elite soybean genetic resource in developing the soybean cultivars with better seed longevity.

White rust [Albugo candida (Pers. Ex. Lev) Kuntze] is an important oomycetes disease of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss] that causes a drastic reduction in seed yield and quality when the conditions are favorable. A set of 25 Indian mustard genotypes were screened against A. candida Delhi isolate (Ac-Dli) under both controlled and natural epiphytotic conditions. Out of 25, only six genotypes (Pusa Karishma, PDZ-3, Heera, BEC-144, BIO YSR, and Donskaja) were found highly resistant in both environments. To study the inheritance of resistance, four resistant genotypes (BEC-144, BIO YSR, Pusa Karishma, and Donskaja) were crossed with three susceptible genotypes (PM-24, Pusa Vijay, and MSTWR-17-15) in a definite design. The parents, F1, F2, and BC1F1 (F1 backcrossed with susceptible parent) generations were screened under both artificially controlled and natural epiphytotic conditions and the results indicated that the resistance in BIO YSR, BEC-144, and Pusa Karishma is governed by a single dominant gene, but more than one dominant gene is responsible for resistance in Donskaja. A test of an allelism conducted on the F2 population derived by crossing resistant (BEC-144) × resistant (BIO YSR) genotypes indicated that the gene imparting resistance to Ac-Dli isolate in the resistant parents BEC-144 and BIO YSR is the same and they are allelic to each other. Therefore, in broader terms, the information generated in the present study will be useful in Indian mustard breeding programs for the development of durable resistant cultivars.

Seed coat impermeability (SCI) in soybean is associated with seed viability under storage and quality of processed products. Understanding genetics and identification of linked molecular markers would facilitate need-based utilization of seed coat impermeability. Two impermeable wild type (G. soja Sieb. and Zucc.) accessions viz. PI 424079 and PI 136620 were crossed with a permeable cultivated (G. max) variety JS335 to generate the mapping populations. Genetic analysis of the F 1:2 and F 2:3 seeds of the crosses indicated that SCI is controlled by a single gene/major QTL, and impermeability is dominant over permeability. Presence of seeds with intermediate permeability indicated role of some minor genes/QTLs. A set of 204 inter-specific recombinant inbred line (RILs) (F 7 ) was used to map SCI with 207 SSR markers. Phenotyping through rapid imbibition approach (seed imbibition for 6 h), seven QTLs were mapped on chromosomes (Chrs.) 2, 5, 12, 13 and 16 in the seeds stored for 1-3 years, while through slow imbibition method (seed imbibition for 7 days), five QTLs were mapped on Chrs. 2, 9, 10 and 20. Phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by the QTLs ranged from 5.96 to 39.67%. Two major and stable QTLs viz., qScI-h2-1 and qScI-h2-2 that mapped in tandem on Chr.2 jointly explained 43.09-62.92% of the variations in impermeability. Seven minor QTLs identified here were novel and two (qScI-h5, and qScI-h16) were consistent. It is the first report of mapping impermeability using two imbibition approaches together in 200 plus interspecific RILs in soybean. The study will pave the way for developing genotypes with restricted permeability, enhanced seed viability, and improved seeds quality.

Microgreens have been used for raw consumption and are generally viewed as healthy food. This study aimed to optimize the yield parameters, shelf life, sensory evaluation and characterization of total aerobic bacteria (TAB), yeast and mold (Y&M), Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria spp. incidence in mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek), lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris), and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.) microgreens. In mungbean and lentil, seeding-density of three seed/cm2, while in Indian mustard, eight seed/cm2 were recorded as optimum. The optimal time to harvest mungbean, Indian mustard, and lentil microgreens were found as 7th, 8th, and 9th day after sowing, respectively. Interestingly, seed size was found highly correlated with the overall yield in both mungbeans (r2 = .73) and lentils (r2 = .78), whereas no such relationship has been recorded for Indian mustard microgreens. The target pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. were not detected; while TAB, Y&M, Shigella spp., and E. coli were recorded well within the limit to cause any human illness in the studied microgreens. Washing with double distilled water for two minutes has shown some reduction in the overall microbial load of these microgreens. The results provided evidence that microgreens if grown and stored properly, are generally safe for human consumption. This is the first study from India on the safety of mungbean, lentils, and Indian mustard microgreens.

No abstract

Codon usage bias (CUB) phenomenon varies with the species and even within the genes of the same species, where few codons are preferred more frequently than their other synonymous codons. It also categorizes the differences between species. Nucleotide compositional analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms of genes and the evolutionary relationship of a gene in dissimilar plant species. In the present study, three orthologous sequences of each FAE1 (FAE1.1, FAE1.2, and FAE1.3) and FAD2 (FAD2.1, FAD2.2, and FAD2.3) genes, from six Brassica species were accessed using the GenBank database. Further, CUB-related parameters such as nucleotide composition (AT and GC content), relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), the effective number of codons (ENC), frequency of optimal codons (Fop), relative codon usage bias (RCBS), neutrality plot (GC12 vs. GC3), parity rule-2 [(A3/(A3 + T3) vs. (G3/(G3 + C3)], and correspondence analysis (COA) were analyzed to compare codon bias in U’s triangle Brassica species. The FAE1 genes were AT-biased and FAD2 genes were GC-biased across the studied Brassica species. RSCU values indicated that both the genes had moderate codon usage frequency for selected amino acids. The evolutionary study confirmed that codon usage preference is similar within the species grouped into the same cluster for FAE1; however, B. nigra performed differently for FAD2.2 orthologue. The high ENC value, low Fop, and RSCU value highlighted that FAE1 and FAD2 genes had a low level of gene expression and moderate preference for codon usage across the Brassicas. In addition, neutrality plot, parity rule, and correspondence analysis revealed that natural selection pressure had significantly contributed to CUB for FAE1 genes, whereas mutation and selection pressure occurred for FAD2 genes. This study would help to decode codon optimization, improve the level of expression of exogenous genes, and transgenic engineering to increase fatty acid profiling for the betterment of seed oil in Brassica species.

Tocopherol is vital for the nutritional value and stability of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss) oil; nonetheless, the lack of information on genetic control is hampering its improvement. In this study, six populations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1P1, and BC1P2) of RLC3 × NPJ203 were evaluated in a family block design to evaluate the inheritance pattern, gene effects, and various other genetic parameters of tocopherol content (α, γ, and total), using generation mean analysis. The comparison of direct and reciprocal crosses indicated that the tocopherol content was not influenced by maternal inheritance. Negative directional heterosis showed that ATC, GTC, and TTC are governed by recessive genes. Potence ratio and degree of dominance highlighted an over-dominance type of gene interaction for GTC and TTC, whereas ATC was governed by epistatic interactions. Furthermore, the six-parameter model revealed a duplicate gene action for α-tocopherol content. Broad and narrow sense heritability coupled with genetic advances were high.