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Genetic variability parameters and correlation among 11 quantitative traits were studied in 219 soybean working collection during kharif 2014-15 at Bengaluru. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the 219 accessions for all the quantitative characters studied except for the seed size. Among the traits, number of clusters per pod exhibited highest estimate of phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) (37.04) and genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) (36.94) followed by 100-seed weight (g) (PCV=31.96, GCV=31.46) and number of branches per plant (PCV=29.56, GCV=29.18). Heritability was highest (>70%) for all the characters studied. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent mean was recorded for plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, number of seeds per pod, pod length (cm), seed size (cm) and 100-seed weight (g). Hundred seed weight (g) exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with seed size (cm) (0.68) and pod length (cm) (0.17). A very wide range of variability was observed for 11 qualitative traits in the working collection and this can be potentially used for the improvement of soybean for yield and related traits.

Purpose Dental implants have become a definitive method for the esthetic and functional rehabilitation of both partially and completely edentulous arch. There is a significant role of vitamin D in bone metabolism and there are only few human studies that evaluate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on stability of dental implants. The study thus aims to evaluate the correlation of vitamin D deficiency and implant stability in delayed endosseous implant. Methods The study included 20 subjects of either gender in the age group of 20-50 years, who required implant placement for rehabilitation of partially edentulous condition. Vitamin D status was evaluated for all subjects preoperatively. Implant stability was checked postoperatively at three months and six months using Electronic Technology Resonance Frequency Analysis. ResultsThe study found that for every 1 ng/ml increase in Vitamin D levels, the implant stability Quotient value (ISQ) significantly increased by 0.48 at 3 months and 0.62 units at 6 months, which was statistically significant at P = 0.01 and P = 0.002, respectively. Statistical analysis was done using Student Paired t test, Pearson Correlation test and Simple Linear regression analysis. Conclusion Albeit the smaller sample size, the results of the study showed the positive influence of vitamin D on stability of implant. The study thus emphasizes on the significance of screening the vitamin D status of subjects prior to implant placement.

India is the second largest producer of tomato with 11 per cent global share and cultivated on an estimated area of 0.76 million hectares with productivity of 24 tonnes per hectare. Less than 1% of the produce is processed when compared to 26% in other major producing countries. Of the estimated more than 41 million tonnes of tomato processed globally, only 130,000 tonnes were processed in India and domestic demand for processed tomato products is expanding at an estimated 30% annually. At present traditional fresh market tomato cultivars are being processed though such cultivars are unsuitable for processing. Processors in India are looking for high yielding tomato cultivars with high total soluble solids (5-6 º Brix), acidity not less than 0.4%, pH less than 4.5 and uniform red colour with a/b colour value of at least 2. In addition, firm fruited tomato cultivars with joint less pedicel (j2) which facilitate mechanical harvesting or rapid hand picking. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research has recently developed two high yielding F1 hybrids in tomato viz: Arka Apeksha and Arka Vishesh suitable for processing. On evaluation for three years, both the hybrids recorded good level of total soluble solids (4.5-5º Brix) and colour value of 2. Further, both the hybrids had high yield potential (80-90 tonnes / hectare) with triple disease resistance to tomato leaf curl disease, bacterial wilt and early blight. Arka Apeksha and Arka Vishesh were also bred with jointless pedicel making them suitable for mechanical harvesting. Our experimental studies on vine storability revealed that all the fruits were intact on plants even 110 days after transplanting in the main field facilitating once over harvest.