No abstract

Genetic variation and relationship among 28 mango germplasm were analyzed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Out of 20 primers screened, four were selected, which gave 50 clear and bright fragments, out of which 48 fragments were considered polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci and gene diversity values across all loci were 96% and 0.29, respectively. The UPGMA dendrogram based on genetic distance segregated the 28 mango germplasm into two main clusters. Sukul alone formed one cluster and the rest germplasm were grouped together into another cluster. Mallika and Amrapali cultivar pair was very close to each other with the highest intervarietal similarity index (87.30%) and lowest genetic distance (0.08). On the other hand, Sukul and Meghnath pair was more distant to each other with the lowest intervarietal similarity index (14.29%) and highest genetic distance (0.87). The results of the present study indicated that the RAPD analysis could be utilized by breeders for further improvement of mango varieties.

for sharing his field observations in Florida. The comments of two anonymous reviewers and Stan Hokanson made this a better paper. We are grateful to the late Michael Moore, who allowed us access to his Vitaceae treatment in manuscript form and for very helpful taxonomic discussions. The cost of publishing this paper was defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. Under postal regulations, this paper therefore must be hereby marked advertisement solely to indicate this fact. * Significant test under a sequential Bonferroni.

Rhododendron obtusum (Lindl.) Planch. ‘Hinodegiri’ responded to the different fertilizer sources and application methods similarly regardless of growing media. Plants top-dressed with Osmocote 18N-3P-10K had a significantly higher growth index, larger stem caliper and increased fresh weight than plants top-dressed with Pro-Grow 24N-3P-10K. Incorporation of either fertilizer source resulted in reduced plant growth and quality. The best fertilization method was a surface application regardless of fertilizer source or media.