Dolichos bean is a nutritionally rich yet underutilized orphan legume crop. Conventional phenotype-based genetic improvement has been slow; therefore, integrating genomic selection (GS) into breeding programs is essential to accelerate genetic gain. Our objective in this study was to optimize the factors influencing GS success in dolichos bean by identifying: (i) the most effective GS model, (ii) an appropriate training population (TP), and (iii) the ideal selection generation for fresh pod yield. Four populations with distinct genetic structures were evaluated for fresh pod yield and genotyped using 413 SSR markers distributed across 11 linkage groups. The TPs were evaluated across five environments (locations and/or years), whereas the breeding populations (BPs) were evaluated over two seasons. Four GS models were trained on two differentially structured TPs and validated on two breeding populations. The optimal generation for genomic prediction was assessed by comparing an early-generation segregating population (F2:3) with an advanced-generation population (F5:6). Our results indicate that the RKHS model showed the highest predictive ability (i.e. correlation between observed and predicted fresh pod yield) compared to the other three models. We found that a closely structured Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) population is the most effective for training genomic prediction models. Furthermore, predictive abilities were comparable between the F2:3 and F5:6 generations. We conclude that predicting fresh pod yield in early segregating generations using an RKHS model trained on a RIL population is highly effective strategy for implementing GS in dolichos bean improvement programs.

Genomic prediction has been demonstrated to be an efficient approach for the selection of candidates based on marker information in many crops. However, efforts to understand the efficiency of genomic selection over phenotype-based selection in understudied crops such as dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet) are limited. Our objectives were to (i) explore the effective marker density for achieving high prediction accuracy and (ii) assess the effectiveness and efficiency of genomic selection over phenotype-based selection on seed yield at early segregating generations in dolichos bean. In this study, the training population, which consisted of F5:6 recombinant inbreds, had a shared common parent with the breeding population, which consisted of F2 generation breeding population. The populations were genotyped with newly synthesized genomic simple sequence repeat-based markers. The effective marker density for genomic prediction was assessed by using a varying number of markers in predictions using 11 different models. Furthermore, the effectiveness of genomic selection was assessed by comparing the genetic gains in progenies between genotypes selected based on predicted seed yield and phenotypically selected genotypes. Our results indicate that low-density markers that are evenly distributed throughout the genome are sufficient for the integration of genomic selection in dolichos breeding programs. The genomic selection was proved to be two times more effective than phenotypic selection in early-generation selection in dolichos beans. The results have a significant impact on adopting genomic selection in regular breeding programs of Dolichos beans at a low cost.

Improvement of popular single cross hybrids (SCHs) by improving one of their parents is a fast-track means to enhance the genetic potential of maize hybrids. Determination of the type of breeding population (BP) (F2/BC) to be developed is one of the keys to the successful improvement of elite SCHs. We predicted that BC BP would be better than F2 BP in developing improved versions of the identified parents of two SCHs—Hema and Nithyashree, while F2 BP would be better than BC BP in developing improved versions of another SCH – MAH 14–5 in our recently published article. In this article, we provide empirical evidence to validate the predicted type of BP. For this purpose, we compared the testcross (TC) hybrids’ (144) performance (for grain yield) of random plants of F2 and BC BPs derived from three crosses across two locations. True to our prediction from our previous study, in terms of high TC hybrid mean, BC BP was highly significantly better than F2 for developing improved versions of identified parents of Nithyashree; while F2 was numerically better than BC BP for developing improved versions of identified parents of MAH 14–5. On the other hand, BC BP was numerically better than F2 for developing improved versions of identified parents of Hema. A fairly good correspondence between predicted (based on their parental TC performance) and observed grain yield potential of F2 and backcross-derived TC hybrids (except those derived from backcross BPs of two crosses) suggested that mean parental TC performance as a good predictor of TC performance the BPs derived from them. Based on the results of the current study, we opine that reliable prediction of the TC hybrid performance of BPs based on their parental TC performance helps enhance the pace and efficiency of hybrid maize breeding programmes.

Genetic improvement of popular elite single cross hybrids (SCHs) is considered as the most economical and fast-track approach to enhance the productivity of hybrids in crops including bitter gourd. This approach requires improvement of parents (I1 and I2) of elite SCHs. This in turn requires (i) a priori identification of donor inbred lines (Ids) containing favourable dominant alleles not present in I1 and I2 of elite SCHs, (ii) identification of which parent (I1/I2) of SCHs to be improved and (iii) prediction of the kind of breeding population (BP) (F2/backcross) to be used to develop improved version of identified parent of SCHs. Under these premises, we evaluated test cross (TC) hybrids (across two seasons) derived from crossing 16 advanced breeding lines (ABLs) as candidate donor inbred lines with parents (as testers) of the three elite SCHs namely Mayura, Aachi and OSBT-03 for fruit yield. We estimated the predictor statistic 'mu G', which quantifies the number of favourable dominant alleles present only in ABLs but not in the parents of elite SCHs. Based on this predictor statistic, we identified ABLs as the best Ids for improvement of parents of the three elite SCHs. Using the relationship estimator statistic (mu C + mu F/mu D + mu E), we identified that seed parents of the three elite SCHs are to be improved. Further, based on the magnitude of 'mu G' relative to 'mu D/mu E', which guides the type of BP to be used to develop improved version of the identified seed parents, we predicted that improved versions of seed parents of the three elite SCHs need to be developed from populations derived from backcrossing the 'F1' involving seed parents and Ids with superior parent.

Harnessing heterosis through F1 hybrids is one of the most efficient strategies for enhancing productivity of crops including bitter gourd. However, the development of heterotic hybrids relies (among others) on combining genetically diverse inbred parents to create breeding populations (BPs) to derive promising new inbred lines. In this context, the present study aimed to (i) assess the genetic diversity among advanced breeding lines (ABLs) and parents of elite single cross hybrids (SCHs) using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and (ii) identify the most desirable inbred line combinations for BP development, (iii) explore efficiency of SSR marker alleles to discriminate ABLs for their fruit yield potential and (iv) identify SSR marker alleles unique to ABLs. Twenty-five lines which included 18 elite advanced breeding lines (ABLs) and seven parents of four commercialised elite SCHs—Mayura, Aachi, OSBT-03 and Piccalo were genotyped using 100 SSR markers. The results revealed polymorphism of 45 markers. The number of alleles per SSR locus ranged from 2 to 7. Narrow difference between average (2.36) and effective (1.71) number of alleles per locus suggest near-equal frequency of alleles detected at each polymorphic locus. The 35 markers with three or more alleles and PIC values of ≥ 0.5 proved to be more informative than those with two alleles. The SSR marker alleles were efficient to discriminate ABLs for their fruit yield potential. The seven pairs of ABLs with greater dissimilarity index (≥ 0.35) were identified (which also differed for fruit yield plant−1, fruit length and fruit diameter) for use in developing BPs to recover superior inbred lines better than those used in the study.

Background: Core collection of germplasm accelerates breeding objective of a crop. A core set of trait specific accessions reduces time, money and valuable man power in any crop breeding system and Standard stratified clustering approach is the most preferred approach to construct the coreset. Methods: During summer of 2020-21, the genetic variability of 2000 soybean germplasm accessions were assessed at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. The clustering approach was deployed to develop 8 core sets from the base collection based on 13 qualitative and 7 quantitative traits. The core sets were validated using various univariate and multivariate statistics to assess their representativeness of the base collection. During kharif 2021, 300 germplasm accessions (15% core size) were evaluated at two sites viz., GKVK, Bengaluru and KVK Doddaballapur, to identify trait-specific accessions from the best core set. Result: Eight core sets were developed in the current study using the SSC approach. Logarithmic sampling with preferred allocation approach-based core set of 15% size was identified as the best representative of the base collection. Many trait-specific accessions were found promising for the combination of desirable traits from the best core set suggesting their preferential use in breeding programme.

Identification and validation of quantitative trait loci (QTL) governing desired phenotype of target trait is a prerequisite to implement marker-assisted selection in any crop including dolichos bean. Under this premise, we used two mapping populations (MPs) to detect and cross population validate QTL controlling fresh pod yield. One of the MPs consisted of F2 individuals (MP1) derived from crossing two elite genotypes, the second MP consisted of random RILs (MP2) derived from a different pair of elite genotypes. The MP1 and MP2 were genotyped using polymorphic 86 and 91 SSR markers, respectively and linkage maps were constructed using QTL IciM mapping software. The MP1 and MP2 were phenotyped during 2021 and 2017 rainy and post rainy seasons, respectively for fresh pod yield plant-1 following two-replicated simple lattice design. QTL maps were developed in MP1 and MP2 using genotype and phenotype data. Our results indicated that the estimates of total map length, average map length per linkage group (LG) and average inter-marker distance in MP2 were greater (by at least 1.5 times) than those in MP1. While seven QTLs were detected in MP1, six were detected in MP2 with three QTL exhibiting positive and additive minor effects for fresh pod yield plant-1. We also detected one common minor positive effect QTL across two seasons in MP2 and significant epistatic QTL, whose main effects were non-significant. One each of the seven and six QTL-linked SSR markers detected in MP1 and MP2, respectively were cross-population validated. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to strategies to breed dolichos bean.

Background: Determinate growth habit is farmer-preferred trait in dolichos bean. Fresh pods are harvestable and marketable economic products in dolichos bean. For ready acceptance of determinate cultivars, they should be in high fresh pod yielding background. Empirical evidence based on non-isogenic backgrounds indicated that genotypes with indeterminate growth habit produce greater fresh pod yield than those with determinate growth habit. However, confounding effects of the genes other than those controlling growth habit on fresh pod yield cannot be ruled out. Near isogenic lines (NILs) are ideal genetic resources to assess un-confounding effect of growth habit on fresh pod yield. Methods: Six pairs of NILs differing for growth habit developed from heterogeneous inbred families (HIFs) of F2:5 recombinant inbred population were field-evaluated in two-replicated RCBD design at three locations for days to 50% flowering, number of fresh pods plant-1 and fresh pod yield plant-1. Significance/other-wise of differences between determinate and indeterminate components of NILs were examined using two-sample ‘t’ test with unequal variance. Result: Indeterminate NILs were late to flower by one week and produced two-fold greater number of fresh pods and higher fresh pod yield compared to their determinate counterpart NILs. Given that NILs used in the present study differed only for loci controlling growth habit, we strongly believe that genes controlling growth habit perhaps have pleiotropic effects on number of fresh pods and fresh pod yield in dolichos bean. These results are discussed in relation to strategies to maximize fresh pod yield potential of determinate cultivars in dolichos bean.

Identification of markers linked to loci controlling economically important traits, including growth habits, helps the selection of genotypes with desired growth habits at the seedling stage itself in crops, with no exception of the dolichos bean. Near isogenic lines (NILs) differing for a target locus are the most appropriate genetic resources for the identification of dependable genomic resources for use in a marker-assisted selection of genes controlling growth habit. In the present study, we found that 30 F2:5 progenies derived from a cross between determinate and indeterminate parents segregated for a few morphological traits, including growth habit. A total of 30 F2:5 progenies were regarded as heterogeneous inbred families (HIFs). Among these 30 F2:5 HIF, seven were segregated only for growth habits. From these seven HIFs, seven pairs of plants differing in growth habit were selected and were regarded as candidate NILs for growth habit. Of these, only six pairs were segregated for growth habit as inferred by polymorphism for alleles at SSR marker (LPD 19) linked to growth habit. Of these, only four pairs of NILs showed monomorphism (>80%) at most of the 94 background SSR markers and hence were regarded as the most putative NILs. These NILs serve as ideal genetic resources to assess the effect of growth habit genes on non-target traits in the dolichos bean.

Background: Allocation of resources only to a few promising segregating populations that are likely to result in high frequency of transgressive recombinant inbred lines (RILs) for use as pure-line cultivars would help enhance efficiency of breeding self-pollinated crops including dolichos bean. The use of an objective criterion to identify promising segregating populations is therefore assumes importance. The prediction of frequency of transgressive RILs that could be derived from advanced generations of segregating populations of crosses is one such criterion. Methods: We predicted the frequency of RILs that transgressed the better parent (HA 5) from two reciprocal crosses derived from two elite but genetically diverse parents (HA 4 and HA 5) for four quantitative traits based on estimates of mid parental value [m], additive genetic effects [a] and additive genetic variance [σ2A]. Result: The frequency of transgressive RILs predicted from H 5 × HA 4 was higher than those predicted from H 4 × HA 5 for primary branches plant-1, pods plant-1 and grain weight plant-1, while it was comparable between the crosses for pod weight plant-1. The required minimum population size was relatively smaller to recover the transgressive RILs from the cross which was predicted to result in higher frequency of RILs than that was predicted to result in lower frequency of RILs.

In the era of genomic-assisted breeding for crop improvement, developing new molecular markers and validating them for use in breeding programs are the prelude. Dolichos bean is one of the most important vegetable legume crops owing to its nutrient-rich green pods used as vegetables. Limitations in genomic resources, including molecular markers, restrict the accelerated improvement of the crop. In the present investigation, a set of 430 new simple sequence repeat markers was developed from sequence information of a reference variety. These markers included di- and tri-nucleotide repeats. The markers were assayed on an association panel, which was evaluated for green pod yield over 5 years. A multi-locus model, FarmCPU, was used to assess the marker-trait association analysis. A total of 106 marker-trait associations were identified using an efficient mixed-model approach. Tri-nucleotide repeats were more informative and predominantly associated with trait. Among these markers, 17 were associated with a high level of significance. Markers LP-D-68 and LP-D-14 were identified with a high level of significance in 5-year pooled data and explained 12.70

Development and deployment of late wilt disease (LWD) resistant cultivar(s) is a cost-effective and eco-friendly strategy to reduce losses due to LWD. DNA markers could be potential surrogates for selection of complexly inherited resistance to LWD. Two linkage maps were constructed using the genotypic data of 64 and 40 polymorphic SSR markers on BC1F1 populations derived from NAI-137×97B and NAI-137×MAI-345, respectively. Three main effect-QTL were detected on chromosomes 1, 4 and 10 in NAI-137×97B, while one QTL on chromosome 9 in NAI-137×MAI-345. Therefore, only the BC1F1 population of NAI-137×97B was back-crossed to NAI-137. Linkage map was constructed in BC2F1 population using the genotypic data of 64 SSR, 3456 unbinned-SNP and 104 binned-SNP + 64 SSR markers in combination. A total of 5, 2 and 11 main effect-QTL were detected on SSR, unbinned-SNP and binned-SNP + SSR based QTL maps, respectively. In NAI-137×97B derived BC1F1 and BC2F1, 2 QTL on chromosomes 4 and 10 flanked by common SSR markers i.e., mmc0371 and umc2350, respectively were detected. Sixteen NAI-137×97B derived BC1F1 plants carried QTL controlling LWD resistance with > 80% recovery of recipient parent genome and LWD score ≤ 4. Ten NAI-137×97B derived BC2F1 plants carried QTL controlling LWD resistance with > 90% recovery of recipient parent genome and LWD score ≤ 3. They were selfed and evaluated for response to LWD. Three BC2F2 families (BC2F2-84, BC2F2-88 and BC2F2-179) with LWD score 2, lower than the donor parent (NAI-137, LWD score 8) were identified. LWD resistant version of NAI-137 developed from the present study shall be used to cross with MAI-105 (the male parent of maize hybrid Hema) to generate improvised “Hema” after evaluating the grain yield potential in comparison to original “Hema” hybrid.

Post-flowering diseases (PFDs), such as ear rot, stalk rot and smut, affect maize yield and quality by damaging the reproductive organs, stalks and seeds. We hypothesized that quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with different PFDs colocalize and share similar defence mechanisms. Hence, to find a stable consensus meta-QTL (MQTL) for single or multiple PFDs, MQTL analysis was performed. QTL conferring resistance to PFD reported in 31 independent studies were collated to develop a consensus map. As many as 49 MQTL conferring PFD resistance were projected using appropriate algorithms. Most MQTL regions encompass genes encoding a wide range of defence-related proteins. MQTL1.1 and MQTL10.5 included QTL/genes for resistance to all PFDs, which supported our hypothesis. Candidate genes for PFDs in MQTL7.1 were associated with pathogenesis-related 1 protein and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling. MQTL5.2 encompassed chalcone flavanone isomerase and cinnamoyl coenzyme A (CoA) reductase genes involved in flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, respectively. Furthermore, MQTL10.4 was found to harbour genes encoding E3 ubiquitin ligase, WRKY-TF11, calcium-binding domains and zinc finger motifs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis reiterated the role of genes within MQTL7.1 in the MAPK signalling pathway, phytohormone signal transduction and plant–pathogen interaction. Hence, we propose that these genes are potential candidates for PFD resistance. Furthermore, 75% of the genes within the MQTL showed orthology with sorghum and rice, indicating that these genes were conserved across species. The role of 27 MQTL, including the six most significant MQTL, was confirmed with reported genome-wide association study (GWAS) results. Thus, the hotspots associated with PFDs identified in our study could be reliably used in marker-assisted breeding for PFD resistance.

Fresh pods are harvestable and marketable economic product in dolichos bean. Fresh pod fragrance is one of the ‘farmers’ and ‘consumers’ preferred traits in dolichos bean varieties. The pods with high fragrance fetch a premium price in the market. In breeding programmes, pod fragrance is routinely assessed by organoleptic (sensory) means, which is highly relative and subjective. Identification of linked DNA markers not only offer an objective means but also enable selection of fragment genotypes at seedling stage itself. Betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) is known to be the key gene responsible for fragrance in other legumes such as vegetable soybean and mung bean. Taking cues from highly conserved domains in proteins coded by BADH genes, we isolated dolichos bean homolog (LpBADH2) of soybean GmBADH2 gene using reported degenerate primers designed to conserved domains. Analysis of the translated amino acid sequence of LpBADH2 showed high degree of similarity (97.30%) with those of soybean homolog (GmBADH2). Conserved amino acid sequence of aldehyde dehydrogenase-super family were also identified in LpBADH2. Multiple sequence alignment of nucleotide sequences of LpBADH2 with those of related legumes using “ClustalW” revealed the presence of a single non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphic (SNPs) and three synonymous SNP sites in LpBADH2. The substitution of the amino acid tyrosine in (fragrant genotypes) with phenyl alanine (non-fragrant genotypes) in protein coded by LpBADH2 appeared to be the cause for switch over from fragrance to non-fragrance in dolichos bean. These results are discussed in relation to strategies to breed dolichos bean cultivars with desired level of pod fragrance.

In common with other grain legumes, the growth habit in horse gram is one of the domestication-driven adaptive traits. Horse gram exhibits determinate and indeterminate types of growth habits. Determinate genotypes have non-overlapping vegetative and reproductive phases combined with a compact growth habit which enables farmers to produce horse gram in intercropping and multiple cropping systems, a common practice for sustainable agriculture production. Also, synchronous flowering, and pod development and maturity of determinate genotypes enable mechanical harvesting. Empirical studies have indicated a greater grain yield potential of indeterminate compared to determinate genotypes. However, we hypothesize that indeterminate and determinate genotypes do not differ for their grain yield potential if they are in isogenic genetic backgrounds. To test this hypothesis, we compared eight pairs of near isogenic (NI) indeterminate and determinate genotypes for their grain yield potential during two rainy seasons in one location and one rainy season in another location. The eight pairs of NI determinate and indeterminate genotypes differed significantly in each of the three test environments. Indeterminate genotypes produced a greater pod (harvestable) and grain (marketable) yields than their determinate counterparts only in a few genetic backgrounds. These results thus support our hypothesis that determinate genotypes are comparable to indeterminate ones, if not better than the latter.

Genetic improvement of popular elite single cross hybrids (SCHs) is considered as the most economical and fast-track approach to enhance the productivity of hybrids in crops including maize. This approach requires improvement of parents (I 1 and I 2 ) of elite SCHs. This in turn requires apriori identification of donor inbred lines (I d ) containing favorable dominant alleles not present in I 1 and I 2 of elite SCHs. Under these premises, we evaluated test cross (TC) hybrids derived from crossing 11 putative inbred lines with parents of three elite SCHs for grain yield across five temporal and spatial environments. Based on the four predictor statistics namely relative number of favourable alleles present only in I d (μG'), minimum upper bound on μG (UBND), Net improvement (NI) and Probability of net gain of favourable allele (PNG g ) estimated based on the grain yield of TC hybrids, we identified three best I d for improvement of ‘Hema’, ‘Nithyashree’ and ‘MAH 4–5’ hybrids. Using the relationship estimators, we identified that seed parent of ‘Hema’, and pollen parents of ‘Nithyashree’ and ‘MAH 14–5’ are to be improved. Further, we could also find that the number of favourable dominant alleles in I d were far more than those in any parent of ‘Hema’ and ‘Nithyashree’. On the contrary, three tested I d were comparable to parents of ‘MAH 14–5’. Based on these results we predicted that it is desirable to develop improved versions of parents of ‘Hema’ and ‘Nithyashree’ and those of ‘MAH 14–5’ from backcross and F 2 populations, respectively. We have also proposed breeding pipeline for improvement of parents of the three elite SCHs.

Strategies to improve a crop depend on a better understanding of its genetic architecture. In the era of genomics, it is important to develop new efficient genomic resources for orphan crops, considering the growing demand for the crop. Dolichos bean, a high-potential, nutrient-rich orphan legume crop, is gaining importance in many parts of the world. Hence, accelerating breeding activity with marker-assisted approaches is much needed. We developed a total of 670 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from the genome sequence information as new genomic resources for the crop. In order to assess the effectiveness of markers to use in genetic research, ensuring the informativeness of new genomic resources is a prerequisite. Hence, new markers were assayed on 96 diverse accessions and examined for their potential to explain population genomics. These new markers consisted of both di- and tri-nucleotide repeats in equal proportions. The population genetic parameters estimated with this marker information proved their efficiency in delineating genetic variations in the population. Results reinforced the relationships between the effective number of alleles, gene diversity, and polymorphic information content, thereby suggesting the informativeness of new markers as genomic resources. Population structure and gene flow information generated will be useful to understand the population dynamics of the dolichos bean. The classification of genotypes into clusters using marker information and the comparison of cluster phenotypes indicated the effectiveness of marker alleles in assessing genome diversity. At the outset, the results of the present study strongly prove the effectiveness of new genomic SSR markers to utilize in genomics-assisted breeding in dolichos bean.

Gummy stem blight disease (GSB) caused by an ascomycete fungi Didymella bryoniae is one of the most destructive biotic production constraints in muskmelon. Development of resistant cultivars is considered as the most economical and eco-friendly option to manage GSB. In this regard, availability of stable sources of resistance is a pre-requisite. A set of 238 muskmelon genotypes were evaluated for responses to GSB under two different natural infection condition viz., under open field during Kharif 2021 and tunnel condition during late Kharif 2021. Further, 44 identified tolerant and resistant genotypes were screened to confirm the consistency of their tolerant/resistant reaction under artificially created GSB sick plot during summer 2022. None of the genotypes were found to be screened were immune or highly resistant to GSB. However, different degrees of resistance response to GSB were observed in terms of typical symptoms. Two genotypes, 21KGSB-258 and 21KGSB-218 consistently expressed resistant response to GSB under both natural infection and sick plot condition with average disease score of 2 and disease index of 40% considering stem-based disease rating scale. Resistant response of these genotypes could be attributed to delayed appearance of initial symptoms, and lower estimates of PDI and area under disease progressive curve (AUDPC). Hence, two genotypes; 21KGSB-258 and 21KGSB-218 identified as stable and potential sources of GSB resistance, could be used as donors to develop GSB resistant muskmelon cultivars/breeding lines.

DNA marker-assisted identification of male-fertility restorers helps save considerable resources, which in turn enable increasing the pace and efficiency of breeding hybrid cultivars in crops including chilli. In this article, our objective is to demonstrate the efficiency of DNA-based markers to classify untested advanced breeding lines (ABLs) into restorers and maintainers. We used four reported fertility restoration (Rf) gene-linked Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR)—based markers and one Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS)—based marker to screen 18 ABLs for fertility restoration and sterility maintenance. One of these four markers (CRF3S1S) was successful in detecting 14 out of 18 ABLs as restorers. Other four markers namely, CRF-SCAR, CaRf-FL-M2, BAC13T7 and OPP-13-CAPS identified 12, 16, 11 and 10 restorers, respectively. We validated these DNA markers using phenotype-based male fertility indicator field and laboratory assayable traits. For this purpose, we evaluated 126 F1 hybrids involving 18 ABLs and seven cytoplasmic-nuclear genetic male sterile lines for four field assayable male-fertility indicator traits—anther structure, pollen release score, fruit set, seed set and two laboratory assayable indicators—pollen fertility and pollen viability. Results of field and laboratory assays confirmed male fertility restoring ability of 14 out of 18 ABLs which were classified as complete restorers based on marker assay. The SCAR marker, CRF3S1S was highly efficient (100

Background: Mere presence of phenotype-based quantitative traits (QT’s) variability is of less significance in breeding crops including horse gram. A dependable knowledge on relative contribution of genetic and non-genetic sources on the QT’s variability and organization of variability in terms of similar and diverse groups of genotypes is useful in selection of most desired parents to generate breeding populations and in formulating appropriate selection strategies to breed improved horse gram cultivars. The objectives of the study were to (i) quantify QT’s variability and (ii) identify trait-specific accessions in a diverse set of germplasm accessions. Methods: A set of 196 horse gram germplasm accessions along with two checks were evaluated in simple lattice design with two replications at two locations, representing southern and eastern dry zones of Karnataka, India during 2020 and 2021 late rainy seasons for five quantitative traits. Result: The germplasm accessions differed significantly and variance attributable to genotypes contributed over 95% to total phenotypic variance for all the traits. The germplasm accessions could be grouped into four clusters. The quantitative trait means and variances of accessions distributed among the four clusters differed significantly. The trait-specific accessions identified in our study are suggested for preferential use in generating variability followed by selection in F2/BC1 populations for economically important traits.