Multi-trait Genotype -Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) approach for identifying superior genotypes in sesame (Sesamum indicum. L)

MGIDI-guided multi-trait selection and diversity analysis of elite and minicore-derived blackgram genotypes in the North-Western Himalayas.

Genetic diversity and multi-trait selection using the multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index in a proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) germplasm collection

Proso millet is a climate-resilient, nutrient-dense nutri-cereal the genetic improvement of which has been constrained by single-trait selection and the limited utilisation of available germplasm. The present study assessed the genetic variability, trait associations and genetic diversity of 259 proso millet genotypes and employed the multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) to identify superior genotypes for grain yield and yield-related traits. The genotypes were evaluated over two seasons (2024 and 2025) under well-watered condition, using restricted maximum likelihood (REML), Pearson correlation, Ward's clustering and MGIDI. Highly significant genotypic variation was recorded for all five traits. Broad-sense heritability was high for grain yield (0.834) and thousand-seed weight (0.805); grain yield also recorded the highest genotypic coefficient of variation (48.27 %) and the largest genetic advance as percentage of mean (90.93 %) and this combination indicates high potential for direct selection. Grain yield was positively and significantly correlated with panicle length (r = 0.636) and productive tillers per plant (r = 0.490). The genotypes formed four divergent clusters, with grain yield being the most discriminating trait (η2 = 60.3 %). The MGIDI retained two factors explaining 65.9 % of the variation at a 15 % selection intensity, 39 superior genotypes were identified, resulting in positive predicted gains for all five traits, including a 65.2 % increase in grain yield (6.14 to 10.15 g plant-1). The selected elite genotypes coincided with the high-yielding cluster, reinforcing their reliability as parents for proso millet improvement.

Assessment of Heritability and Correlation Analysis of Yield and Oil-Related Traits in Different Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Genotypes

Genetic variability and reliable heritability estimates are prerequisites for effective selection in plant breeding. This study assessed heritability and trait correlations for yield and yield-related characters in ten safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes. The experiment was carried out during the Rabi season of 2025–2026 at the Experimental Field, Botanical Garden, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used. Nine yield and yield-related traits were recorded and analyzed. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) differences among the genotypes for all studied traits, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability and considerable potential for genetic improvement through selection. Based on mean performance, genotypes PI-304093 and PI-306956 exhibited superior performance for most of the evaluated traits, suggesting their potential as valuable genetic resources for developing high-yielding safflower cultivars. Correlation analysis showed that most yield-related traits were positively and significantly associated with one another, indicating the possibility of simultaneous improvement through selection. High broad-sense heritability estimates were observed for days to 90% maturity (96.23%), plant height (97.99%), days to 75% flowering (95.09%), biomass per plant (79.97%), seed yield per plant (78.84%), oil content (67.69%), harvest index (62.25%), and capsules per plant (61.93%). These results indicate that direct phenotypic selection can be effective for most traits, and that harvest index may serve as a useful indirect selection criterion for improving seed yield. Genotypes PI-304093 and PI-306956 are recommended as promising parental material for safflower breeding, while multi-location, multi-season trials are suggested to confirm their stability before use in cultivar development.

Studies on genetic variation in physico-chemical traits of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes grown under protected condition

A study was undertaken with 20 genotypes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to evaluate 16 quantitative and qualitative traits and 2 biochemical traits to estimate the genetic variability between yield and its components at the Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi during 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Among all genotypes, 596 were found promising for both yield and quality traits. Yield showed significant positive correlation with average fruit weight (28.99 g), pericarp thickness (0.37 cm), equatorial diameter of fruits (1.25 cm) and number of fruits (79.63). Formation of 5 clusters in dendrogram show the similarity among different traits. Genotype T-53 recorded the highest acidity (0.395 %) whereas genotype T-20 recorded the highest T.S.S. (8.2 0brix). Genotype 596 recorded the highest yield/1000 sq m (144.27 q)

Genetic Associations and Path Coefficient Analysis of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Yield and Its Components

Fifty-four sesame genotypes, comprising 51 genebank accessions and three farmer-preferred cultivars, were evaluated during the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons at the Kassala and Gash Research Station, Sudan, under surface irrigation using an augmented randomised complete block design. The study assessed phenotypic and genotypic correlations among nine agronomic, phenological, and yield-related traits and identified potential criteria for indirect selection. The traits evaluated were capsule length, number of capsules per plant, number of branches per plant, plant height, height to first capsule, days to 50% flowering, thousand-seed weight, days to maturity, and seed yield. Combined-season analysis revealed that number of capsules per plant had the strongest positive phenotypic (r= 0.745) and genotypic (r= 0.791) correlations with seed yield, followed by number of branches per plant (r= 0.632 and 0.696, respectively) and plant height (r= 0.433 and 0.421, respectively). Capsule length, days to 50% flowering, thousand-seed weight, and days to maturity showed positive associations with seed yield, whereas height to first capsule showed a weak negative association. Path coefficient analysis identified number of capsules per plant as the most important contributor to seed yield, with the largest positive direct effect (0.40) and a substantial total indirect effect (0.34). Number of branches per plant (0.22) and plant height (0.20) also exhibited positive direct effects, whereas height to first capsule and days to maturity showed negative direct effects. These findings indicate that number of capsules per plant and number of branches per plant are important yield-associated traits and promising indirect selection criteria for sesame improvement under Sudanese irrigated conditions. Further multi-environment testing is recommended to validate the stability of these relationships across major sesame-producing environments in Sudan.

Multivariate Genetic Diversity, Morphological Characterization, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) improvement depends on the effective utilisation of diverse germplasm and the identification of key yield-contributing traits. The present study evaluated 25 genetically diverse rice germplasm accessions during Kharif 2025 using multivariate genetic diversity, DUS-based morphological characterisation, correlation, and path coefficient analyses. The experiment was conducted in a CRBD with three replications, and observations were recorded for 10 qualitative and 11 quantitative traits. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all quantitative traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. Grain yield per plant exhibited a strong positive association with biological yield per plant (r = 0.99) at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis identified biological yield per plant (0.92) as the most influential trait, with the highest positive direct effect on grain yield. Mahalanobis D² analysis grouped the genotypes into six distinct clusters, with the maximum inter-cluster distance observed between Clusters II and VI (44.21), indicating their potential value in hybridisation programmes. DUS characterisation revealed considerable qualitative variation that facilitated varietal identification and germplasm differentiation. The findings identified promising and genetically diverse germplasm accessions that may provide useful parental material for yield improvement and the broadening of the genetic base of future rice-breeding populations.