A comprehensive three-year pioneer study to develop DUS descriptors of Capsicum annuum under protected conditions was undertaken that defined 56 morphological descriptors and were utilized for genetic divergence analysis. The study revealed substantial phenotypic variability across plant, leaf, floral, fruit and seed traits, with the Shannon Diversity Index (H') ranging from 0.09 to 1.57. High variability was recorded for length of first internode (H' = 1.57), pericarp thickness (H' = 1.43), fruit shape (H' = 1.38), plant height (H' = 1.24), fruit length (H' = 1.21) and fruit stalk length (H' = 1.10), indicating broad allelic diversity and strong potential for breeding interventions. Bell pepper genotypes demonstrated high variability in locule number (H' = 1.10). The population was dominated by key traits, including thin pericarp (41.38%), long stalk length (50.00%), dentate calyx margins (86.21%), constricted calyx (91.38%), strong pedicel attachment (62.07%), presence of blossom-end appendage (93.10%), medium maturity (50.00%), heavy seed weight (> 6.0 g) and generally low seed recovery efficiency (65.52%). The genotypes were classified into ten distinct clusters using Tocher's method, where clusters clusters I, II, IV, VII, VIII and X comprised hot pepper and paprika genotypes, while clusters III, V, VI and IX comprised bell pepper genotypes. Principal component analysis revealed that the first four principal components explained most of the existing variation (> 70%) in the germplasm. Overall, the substantial diversity observed across traits highlights the genetic potential of the evaluated Capsicum genotypes as a valuable resource for crop improvement, conservation and targeted breeding of desirable morphological and agronomic traits.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a significant vegetable with a small genome size (367 Mbp/ genome). Cucumber is susceptible to various bacterial, fungal and viral diseases with downy and powdery mildew being the two most economically significant foliar diseases worldwide among all biotic stresses. Genetic resistance is considered one of the most eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to disease management in crop plants. In this review we have summarized all the QTLs or genes identified for downy (DM) and powdery mildew (PM) resistance linked with numerous genetic loci distributed completely within the seven chromosomes of cucumber. Chromosome 5 has been identified as a hotspot for both DM and PM resistance genes/ QTLs based on previous studies. Most DM and PM resistance genes are closely linked wherein PM resistance genes are potentially being crucial contributors to DM resistance. Through fine mapping, transcriptomics, and proteomics studies, a number of candidate genes, related proteins and various molecular processes related to DM and PM resistance have been discovered in cucumber. Recessive inheritance was commonly described for both DM and PM resistance, often associated with loss of function in plant susceptible (S) genes. Identifying more closely linked markers, flaking markers and QTLs/ genes could be a useful tool for recessively inherited resistance to downy and powdery mildew diseases in cucumber for marker-assisted breeding programs.

The present study was undertaken to induce desirable mutations through gamma-irradiation. A set of Lincoln and Azad P-1 varieties of garden pea were exposed to different treatments using 60 Co gamma cell to determine LD50 50 which was estimated at 100 Gy. The frequency of total mutants including lethal ones increased with higher doses of gamma-radiation that also resulted in high mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency with few exceptions. A wide range of chlorophyll and viable morphological mutations were obtained in M2 2 generations that include desirable characters viz., waxy leaves, 3-flowers /pedicel, short inter-nodal distance, fasciation, tall plants, edible pod, exerted stigma, powdery mildew resistance, afila type and variations for seed coat colour etc. in both the varieties. The inheritance for afila and 3-flowers per pedicel mutant in Azad P-1 were governed by a single recessive gene, as F2 2 generation segregates in a ratio of 1:3 for both the traits.

High-quality red/dry chilli for spice, pharmaceutical and medicinal purposes is a major goal in chilli breeding. The male sterile lines have greater potential for the exploitation of heterosis in chilli to achieve this objective. Genetic male sterile lines with special traits like destalking and ability to withstand high rainfall were involved in heterosis breeding to identify hybrids for commercial and industrial purposes. Forty F1 hybrids were developed by crossing 4 diverse GMS lines with 10 testers using Line × Tester mating design to estimate heterosis, combing ability and gene action. The experiment involving 14 parents and 40 F1s, along with standard variety ‘CH-27’ was laid out in α-lattice square design in three replications during summer 2020 and 2021. The GMS lines MS 9-2 and MS 26-1 along with testers DPCh 10, VVG, DPCh 40 and Him Palam Mirch-2 showed significant GCA for marketable red/dry fruit yield and majority of their component traits. Ten F1 hybrids were identified with superiority for fruit yield based on mean performance, significant heterosis and SCA effects, providing an opportunity to utilize them in value-added products and dried spice purposes viz., MS 9-2 × HPM-2, MS 11-2 × DPCh 40, MS 9-2 × DPCh 40 and MS 9-2 × DPCh 101 with erect fruiting habit and that of MS 9-2 × DPCh 10, MS 26-1 × DPCh 10, MS 9-2 × PBC 535, MS 26-1 × VVG, MS 29-2 × DPCh 10 and MS 26-1 × DPCh 22- C with pendent fruits. The non-additive gene action was predominant in the expression of fruit yield, total red fruits/plant, oleoresin and capsanthin. A significant positive correlation among SCA, economic heterosis and per se performance is an indicative to identify superior hybrids. Multi-location testing of these hybrids shall pave way to exploit them commercially by making them available to the farmers.

Genetic diversity was studied in 26 genotypes of late group of cauliflower during winter 2018-19 and 2019- 20. Based on mean performance, DPCaCMS-1 produced significantly high marketable curd weight, 27.38% better than the best check. D2 analysis clustered the genotypes in seven clusters, with the maximum in Cluster I. Genotypes from clusters V and VI with higher inter-cluster genetic divergence would be a valuable source of genes for improvement. Cluster IV represented maximum mean values for marketable curd weight. The maximum contribution towards genetic diversity was made by days to curd initiation followed by leaves/plant and curd diameter. Principal component analysis indicated the five most informative principal components with more than one eigen value, accounting for 83.59% of the total variance for all traits. The genotypes, namely, DPCafW3, DPCaf US, DPCaCMS-1, DPCaCMS-2, DPCaf-1, DPCaCMS-3, DPCaf30, DPCaf13, and DPCafS5-1 seem to be the promising potential genotypes that can be involved in hybridization programmes to identify transgressive segregants with desirable attributes.

Fourteen genetically diverse inbred lines comprising of four genic male sterile lines and 10 often pollinated lines as testers were crossed following 'line x tester' mating design to generate 40 F(1)s. These F(1)s, parents and check 'CH-27' were evaluated in alpha-lattice square design, replicated thrice during summer seasons of 2020 and 2021. The male sterile line DPChMS 9-2 was good general combiner for marketable fruit yield and eight other component traits while testers namely, DPCh 10, PBC 535, VVG, Him Palam Mirch-2 and DPCh 40 showed significant GCA for majority of yield related traits. The hybrids DPChMS 9-2 x HPM-2, DPChMS 9-2 x DPCh 40, DPChMS 9-2 x DPCh 101, DPChMS 9-2x VVG and DPChMS 26-1x HPM-1 were the most desirable based on specific combining ability (SCA) and economic heterosis for fruit yield and other important traits. Heterosis was positively correlated with SCA indicating prediction of potential hybrids can be made based on both these parameters simultaneously. Present study provides an opportunity to exploit top hybrids for stability and commercial cultivation.

Vegetables are wholesome foods which are an essential part of a healthy diet and provide micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and phytochemicals in a balanced form. There is year-round demand for fresh vegetables, but supply is limited to cultivation season. Three hill states of India, viz. Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, fall under North-Western Himalayan region and have emerged as ‘Natural Glass House’ of the country with diverse climate ranging from subtropical to dry temperate and therefore have become the hub of off-season vegetable cultivation. Topographic factors in hills, viz. altitude, latitude and slopes, make the valley in hills suitable for raising off-season vegetables. The hill-grown vegetables find favour for their flavour, freshness, crispness and sweetness, superior quality and pesticide residue free. The winter-season vegetables are produced during summer season in hills and find ready market in the plain, bringing lucrative returns to farmers during their lean period. The vegetables that have earned name in the production of off season in hills are tomato, green peas, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, green capsicum, coloured capsicum, summer squash, cucumber, broccoli, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, Brussels sprouts, European carrot and snow peas. Off-season vegetable cultivation through protected structures also provides an opportunity to rural youths. Furthermore, there is a significant scope for crop diversification through off-season vegetables due to a wide variety of agro-climatic and soil type conditions. Production of vegetables in these states ensures the regular supply of fresh vegetables, increases the total vegetable production, offers more choices to consumers and makes the production system economically sustainable and remunerative.

Genetic diversity is the prerequisite for the success of crop improvement programmes. Keeping in view, the current investigation was undertaken to assess the agro-morphological and molecular diversity involving 36 diverse mid-late and late cauliflower genotypes following α-RBD design during winter season 2021–22. Six morphological descriptors predicted as polymorphic using Shannon diversity index with maximum for leaf margin (0.94). The genotypes grouped into nine clusters based on D 2 analysis with four as monogenotypic and gross plant weight (32.38%) revealed maximum contribution towards the genetic diversity. Molecular diversity analysis revealed 2–7 alleles among 36 polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR) with average of 4.22. Primer BoESSR492 (0.77) showed maximum polymorphic information content (PIC) with mean of 0.58. SSR analysis revealed two clusters each with two subclusters with a composite pattern of genotype distribution. STRUCTURE analysis showed homogenous mixture with least amount of gene pool introgression within the genotypes. Thus, based on morphological and molecular studies, the diverse genotypes namely, DPCaCMS-1, DPCaf-W4, DPCaf-US, DPCaf-W131W, DPCaf-S121, DPCaf-18, DPCaf-13, DPCaf-29 and DPCaf-CMS5 can be utilized in hybridization to isolate potential transgressive segregants to broaden the genetic base of cauliflower or involve them to exploit heterosis.

Crop health is acknowledged as a key component to secure global food security. Pisum sativum L. (pea) cultivation is questioned by different biotic, and abiotic stresses. Among them, pea root rot complex (PRRC) is the most prevalent disease caused by soil-borne fungi, and it is usually considered the limiting factor in pea yield (30–57% reduction in yield). PRRC has a diverse spectrum of hosts and may be found all around the globe. The condition stands complex, and numerous approaches such as cultural, physical, biological, and pharmaceutical have failed miserably to control PRRC pathogens. In light of the many tactics and their success, host-plant resistance represents just one realistic choice for controlling the disease in pea agriculture for the long run. It's a strong, low-cost, long-lasting, and environmentally sustainable phenomenon. Plant breeding strategies along with advanced molecular approaches viz., SNP genotyping, gene(s), QTLs mapping, marker assisted selection (MAS), have been led to rise of host-plant-resistance against PRRC. Partial resistance to Fusarium spp. is more common in pea genotypes with coloured flowers and seed coatings. MAS can speed up the breeding process by assisting in the genetic selection of targeted traits in early generations. QTLs for resistance to PRRC can be validated using NILs/RILs generated by MAS. In the present manuscript, we review the recent results and breeding strategies for PRRC.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene silencing mechanism that occurs after transcription. It is induced by double stranded RNA which results in a sequence-specific gene regulation by small RNAs thus results in mRNA degradation. RNA silencing pathways in plants are small interfering RNA (siRNA), micro RNA (miRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that also involves enzymes, and protein complex for complete mechanism. RNAi applications have been used to increase biotic and abiotic resistance, alter plant architecture, improve fruit quality, enhanced nutritional values, enhanced secondary metabolites, seedless fruits, reduced anti-nutritional toxic compounds, reduced allergens and to develop high-value industrial products. Therefore, RNAi is a novel approach that can be exploited for functional analysis of target genes, regulation of gene expression, improved quality traits, alternative method for crop protection and production in vegetables. This review is an attempt to collect current information on the RNAi mechanism and its application in the improvement of vegetable crops.

The experimental material comprising of 41 genotypes wasevaluated in randomized complete block design with threereplications. Genotype DPPM-74 was the most promisingwith significantly highest number of pods per plant, totalbiomass, seed yield and protein content. The differences inperformance of genotypes for seed yield per plant might beattributed to pods per plant, seeds per pod and 100-seedweight. Significant genetic variations were observed forseed yield and related traits. High PCV and moderate GCVwere recorded for seed yield per plant. Moderate estimatesof PCV and GCV were recorded for number of branches,internodal length, plant height, pod length, seeds per pod,harvest index, 100-seed weight, protein content, starch, podsper plant, total biomass and ascorbic acid. High heritabilitycoupled with high genetic advance was observed for podsper plant, total biomass, seed yield per plant and harvestindex. Seed yield per plant had positive association withinternodal length, plant height, pod length, seeds per pod,pods per plant, total biomass, harvest index and 100-seedweight at phenotypic and genotypic levels. Total biomassand harvest index had maximum positive direct effects onseed yield/plant. Based on variability studies, it can beconcluded that pods per plant, pod length, seeds/pod, totalbiomass and harvest index should be given due focus forthe improvement of garden pea.