This experiment was conducted to assess the genotypic variation for the growth, yield and yield components of potato grown under drought and irrigated conditions at Hattiban Research Farm, Khumaltar during the summer cropping season (Feb.-May) of the two consecutive years (2013 and 2014). The results revealed that canopy cover, stem height and number of leavers were more sensitive to drought and the effect was more pronounced in early cultivar Desiree. Stem height and leaf number of plant were more (36% and 45%, respectively) reduced in Desiree than other genotypes. Mean tuber number decreased by 55% under drought condition. Drought stress reduced marketable tuber number by 79% as compared to irrigated treatment. Drought stress reduced the marketable tuber yield from 70% to 87%. The clones CIP 392242.25 and LBr-40 had relatively lower yield loss, and less drought susceptibility index under drought indicating their tolerance to drought in field condition. Further experiment is recommended to study the physiological parameters of these genotypes under different water and soil conditions. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(3): 513-519

This study was conducted in sweet pepper 'Boogie' to produce the haploids and diploids via anther culture, and to characterize their plant and fruit characters. Anthers were cultured on Dumas de Vaulx medium, (C-medium) supplemented with 0.1 mg L -1 kinetin and 0.1 mg L -1 2, 4-D, and 3% sucrose and 0.32% phytagel. Cultures were first incubated in dark at 35 for one week and then transferred at 25 under 16 h photoperiod for 40 days. Regenerated plantlets including haploids and diploids were evaluated for their plant and fruit characters at Hwacheon in spring, 2007. Results revealed that 39.6 % callus was formed in total anthers (6100) whereas only 1.78% plants were regenerated among them. Ploidy analysis showed that 78.1% regenerants were diploids. Haploid plants were characterized by short plant height, narrow leaf size, short internode length, small flower bud size, and small fruit with low volume than diploid plants. Average fruit volume measured in diploids was 62.7% higher than haploids. Variation in plant and fruit characters was observed within the diploid population and pepper breeder could utilize such variation in breeding program. Based on this characterization and compared to original cultivar, SP94, SP117, SP148, SP171 and SP174 are found superior diploid lines and recommended them to evaluate for variety improvement in sweet pepper.Additional key words: 2,4-D, callus, diploid, Dumas de Vaulx medium, haploid, kinetin Hort.

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A study was conducted to evaluate the yield of nutrient-rich potato clones in high-hill districts: Dolakha and Jumla of Nepal during the years 2013 and 2014, respectively. Fourteen potato clones were tested as on-station and on-farm experiments at both districts, and those fourteen clones were compared to 'Lady Rosita' and 'Jumli Local' respectively as the check varieties in the first year experiment, 2013. Eight promising clones were selected from the first year experiment, and were evaluated and compared with same local varieties in the consecutive year, 2014.

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