Somaclonal variation was revealed among regenerants in four genotypes (Nirmal, P24, Nayagarh local and Dhenkanal local) of grasspea (<italic>Lathyrus sativus</italic> L.) following long term in vitro culture of internode explants. Most of the somaclones which survived till maturity had revealed chromosomal abnormalities and variation in one or more morphological and/or agronomic traits. Some of the variant phenotypes especially those relating to developmental variations were not inherited to R2 generation owing to elimination of chromosomal aberrations that preclude normal morphogenesis. Somaclones with variation in flower colour, seed colour, leaflet length and breadth, foliage and pod pigmentation may be used as genetic markers in breeding <italic>Lathyrus sativus</italic>. Besides, variants with broad leaf, dwarf height, long pod, large seed, short duration and synchronous maturity are agronomically desirable. A large seeded somaclone NGOG 5 having high seed yield and low neurotoxin content (ODAP) recovered in this pursuit, can be a desirable candidate for future breeding programme.

Plant growth and productivity of rice is adversely affected by various biotic and abiotic stress factors. Water deficit is one of the major abiotic stresses, which affects crop growth and yield. Majority of rice cultivated areas in south Asia is under rainfed, where water stress at any stages of growth causes sharp decline in yield. The present study was carried out through front line demonstration under a ‘National Innovation in Climate Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA) project during kharif seasons of 2018 and 2019 in two villages namely Pipalpada and Kinipadar of Kalahandi district of Odisha with an objective to evaluate the performance of short duration rice varieties viz. Swarna Shreya, Sahabhagidhan, DRR-42 and Naveen as compared to the farmers variety (MTU-1010). Swarna Shreya matured in 115 days and recorded higher plant height (126.83 cm), effective tillers/hill (19.33), length of panicle (28.50 cm), number of panicle/m2 (305.0), filled grains/panicle (128.72) and 1000 grain weight (25.51 g) over other varieties. This variety also produced the highest grain yield of 4.16 t ha-1 with harvest index of 0.56 and total dry matter of 538.10 /m2. The Swarn Shreya produced higher net return of Rs. 41,975/ha with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.20 and additional net return of Rs. 9735/ha as compared to farmers’ variety. The growth and yield performance of Swarna Shreya was found to be satisfactory in spite of occurrence of frequent dry spells during different crop growth stages. Thus, the existing variety, MTU-1010, may be replaced with Swarna Shreya for more productivity, income tolerant during moisture stress conditions.

A cytological study of root tips, primary calli, sub-culture calli and regenerants of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L) cv. Nayagarh local was carried out for elucidation of the origin of tissue culture instability and somaclonal variation. Wide range of euploids, aneuploids and structural variations of chromosomes including stickiness, multipolar spindle, asymmetric chromatid separation, binucleate cells with micronuclei and chromosome bridges and fragments could be the cause for tissue culture instability. Frequency of chromosomal anomalies in calli increased with the age of subculrure and the increase was more in B5 medium supplemented with 2, 4-D than NAA. Majority of the abnormalities happens to be sieved off owing to morphogenetic selectivity. While, a few of these were carried on to regenerants as evidenced from mitotic (euploid, aneuploid and structural variation) and meiotic (interchanges and/or loss of chromosome segments following breakage events, lack of pairing resulting univalents, precocious and late separation of bivalents, anaphase laggards, conspicuous anaphase bridges with or without acentric fragments, chromosome rings, tetrad with multinucleoli) abnormalities in regenerants. Such carryover events have been substantiated as the origin of somaclonal variation in regenerants.

The effect of five nutrient management practices on the yield and yield attributes, nutrient uptake and rain water use efficiency in four greengram varieties (Dhauli, Pusa-9531, OBGG-52 and Nayagarh Local) in rainfed upland inceptisol with sandy-loam soil was studied in factorial RBD with three replications during Kharif 2009 to 2012. Significant variety × nutrient interaction was observed with respect to seed yield, nodulation and other yield attributing characters. Based on the mean data over four years (2009)(2010)(2011)(2012), highest seed yield of 5.84 q ha -1 was observed in Pusa 9531 with lime+50% organic+ 50% inorganic treatment followed by Dhauli (5.53 q ha -1 ) with the same nutrient treatment. Highest RWUE was found in Lime + 50% organic + 50% inorganic treatment in all the varieties followed by 100% organic treatment in Dhauli, Pusa-9531 and OBGG-52 but in 50% organic + 50% inorganic treatment in case of Nayagarh Local. The uptake of N, P and K was also observed to be the highest in Lime + 50% organic + 50% inorganic treatment in all the varieties.

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