PhD Thesis
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://localhost:4000/handle/123456789/48
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item Identification of superior genotypes for yield and quality in red gram[Cajanas cajan (L.)Millsp.] suitable for Kerala(Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2026-01-05) Shirsat Mahesh Santosh; Beena ThomasRed gram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], commonly known as pigeonpea, is an important tropical and subtropical legume valued for its edible seeds. It serves as both a green vegetable and a split pulse (‘dhal’), being a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids such as lysine, methionine, and tryptophan. In combination with cereals, pigeonpea provides a nutritionally balanced diet and contributes to food security and sustainable smallholder farming systems. India is the largest producer of pigeonpea. It ranks second among pulses after chickpea, with major cultivation in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. In Kerala, however, despite being an integral part of the diet, commercial cultivation of pigeonpea is meagre. Therefore, the present research entitled “Identification of superior genotypes for yield and quality in red gram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] suitable for Kerala” was undertaken in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, during 2021-2025. In the first experiment, thirty genotypes originating from ICRISAT (Hyderabad), TNAU (Coimbatore), and IARI (New Delhi) were collected and evaluated in the field to study variability parameters and genetic divergence (D2). Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all 16 traits studied, indicating substantial genetic variability. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV) exhibited high values for traits such as the number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant, biological yield, and the content of total phenol, tannin, and methionine, indicating a strong potential for improvement through selection. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was observed for most traits, indicating the predominance of additive gene action, making direct selection effective. Correlation analysis revealed that seed yield per plant was positively and significantly associated with number of pods per plant, biological yield, harvest index, primary branches, and seeds per pod, while phenol content showed a significant negative correlation. Path analysis indicated that biological yield, flowering traits, and harvest index exerted strong positive direct effects on seed yield, whereas days to bud initiation and plant height contributed negatively. All thirty genotypes were assembled into six clusters using D² analysis. Cluster III had the highest number of genotypes (9), followed by cluster IV (5 genotypes), and clusters I, II, V, and VI each had one genotype. The highest intra-cluster distance was recorded in cluster IV and the lowest in cluster II, whereas the highest inter-cluster distance was observed between clusters I and VI, followed by clusters IV and V. Molecular diversity analysis among the 30 genotypes was conducted using 30 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. Of these, 14 were polymorphic, 9 were monomorphic, and 7 markers failed to amplify. The Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) values of polymorphic SSR markers ranged from 0.12 (ASSR 363) to 0.50 (ASSR 281). The lowest Jaccard’s similarity coefficient was observed between genotypes ICPL 300 and ICPL 22081 (0.167). UPGMA cluster analysis grouped all 30 pigeonpea genotypes into six clusters, with Cluster I being the largest (12 genotypes), followed by Cluster III (11 genotypes), Cluster V (3 genotypes), Cluster IV (2 genotypes), and Clusters II and VI with one genotype each. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) confirmed the presence of considerable genetic diversity among the 30 red gram genotypes. Ten superior genotypes, viz., ICPL 11259, ICPL 11300, ICPL 11318, ICPL 11326, ICPL 20327, ICPL 22045, ICPL 22084, ICPL 22081, APK 1, and Pusa Arhar 16, were selected based on seed quality attributes and seed yield per plant. Phenological evaluation of these genotypes was conducted in the field for three seasons (Rabi, Summer, and Kharif). Seasonal evaluation revealed that seed yield per plant was highest during Kharif, though with high variability, whereas Rabi showed relatively stable but lower yields, and Summer provided balanced performance with moderate yield consistency. Among the ten genotypes, APK 1 and Pusa Arhar 16 consistently recorded high seed yield across all three seasons along with good quality traits and are suitable for cultivation in Kerala. Genotypes grouped in different clusters with maximum inter-cluster distances indicate high genetic diversity, which can be exploited in future breeding programmes to manifest heterosis and develop superior hybrids. Genotypes with high molecular diversity can serve as parental lines for making crosses with a broad genetic base, thereby enhancing the scope of genetic improvement.Item Morpho- molecular characterisation and hybridisation in Oncidium and equitant oncidium orchids(Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2025-07-30) Aswini, M S; Beena ThomasThe present research programme entitled “Morpho-molecular characterisation and hybridisation in Oncidium and equitant Oncidium orchids” was carried out in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani during 2022-24. This research programme aimed to develop novel hybrids in Oncidium orchids as it is a less focused commercially important orchid species for crop improvement programmes. A total of twenty parental genotypes were collected from different nurseries across South India viz., Oncidium Jairak Fragrance (P1), Oncidium Jairak Fragrance OngKnot (P2), Oncidium J.F. Ha-Nu-Man (P3), Oncidium J.F. Pra-Lak(P4), Oncidium J.F. Montho (P5), Oncidium Guan Shin Rouge Ruby (P6), Oncidium Spacerace coco (P7), Brassia arcuigera (P8), Oncidium Sharry Baby (P9), Oncidium Yuan Nan Gold (P10), Oncidium Winterwonder white fairy (P11), Oncidium Kampangsan White (P12), Oncidium Golden Shower (P13), Oncidium Hybrid Miltasssia Sheloib Tolkein (P14), Oncidium Narisara SS (P15), Miltasia Royal Robe (P16), Oncidium Gum Pagan (P17), Oncidium Wild Cat 'Golden Red Star', Tolumnia Jairak Firm Sweet Pink (P19) and Tolumnia William Thurston (P20) were chosen for the research. They were subjected to evaluation for various qualitative and quantitative traits. Evaluation of parents was done for twenty-four quantitative traits. In addition, sixteen quality traits were also estimated in all the parental genotypes. In this study, for most of the traits, genotypic variance was observed close to the phenotypic variance, indicating that genetic factors predominantly control the variation in these traits. The PCV and GCV values were high for petal width, indicating substantial variability. Heritability was high (>60%) for nearly all traits, such as plant height, number of flowers per inflorescence, flower length, flower width, petal length, petal width, lip length, lip width, vase life and longevity of flowers in the stalk. Meanwhile, all the floral traits had high genetic advance as a percentage of the mean, indicating significant potential for improvement through selection, making them prime candidates for targeted breeding efforts. Overall, this analysis highlighted the strong potential for genetic enhancement of these traits in future breeding programs. In the correlation analysis, longevity of flowers in stalk or inflorescence exhibited a strong significant and positive correlation with vase life and length of inflorescence both at genotypic and phenotypic level. In the path analysis study, petal length stood out with the highest positive direct effect, making it the primary trait associated with enhancing the longevity of flowers. In this research programme, twenty parents were subjected to the molecular polymorphism study with the aid of twenty-five different ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. The ratio of absorbance at 260 nm and 280 nm (A260/A280) of all twenty extracted DNA samples of parents ranged between 1.80 and 2.03, indicating nearly 100% purity for the samples. The concentration of samples ranged between 445 and 1553 µg/ml. In this polymorphism study, UBC 844, UBC 824, UBC 807, UBC 818 and UBC 810 have shown higher PIC value. The percentage of polymorphic loci was found more for the primers UBC 807, UBC 808 and UBC 899 followed by UBC 810 and UBC 824. Further, hybridisation was carried out with the best ten genotypes selected based on flower synchronisation, flowering nature and variability studies. A total of seventy- three cross combinations were attempted based on flower synchronisation and flowering nature. P3, P4, P5, P8, P9, P10, P12, P16, P18 and P19 were the parents involved in the hybridisation process. Incompatibility reactions were noticed at different stages ranging from flower abscission before the onset of any visible post-pollination change to instances during the development of the capsule (seed pod). All the five cross- combinations obtained (P3 x P9, P10 x P5, P12 x P19, P19 x P5 and P5 x P19) were germinated successfully, sub-cultured at respective periods and planted successfully after the evaluation of plantlets. Oncidium species exhibit both self-incompatibility and interspecific pollination barriers, critical for maintaining genetic diversity and hybrid vigour. Following successful pollination, the developing capsule underwent several changes before harvest. Initially, the ovary showed slight enlargement and turned green. The longest capsule was obtained for the cross P10 x P5 (O. Yuan Nan Gold x Oncidium Jairak Fragrance Montho) and the shortest capsule was obtained for the cross P19 x P5 (Tolumnia Jairak Firm Sweet Pink x Oncidium Jairak Fragrance Montho). The cross combination P10 x P5 (O. Yuan Nan Gold x O. Jairak Fragrance Montho) recorded the highest days in this process and the lowest by P19 x P5. The total days required for green capsule harvest in successful crosses was minimum in the cross-combination P19 x P5. Orchid seeds are difficult to germinate naturally since it is devoid of natural storage organs for food reserves and the embryo is naked. In vitro germination using media like MS supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Indoleacetic acid (IAA) has shown promising results. Out of five cross combinations in different bottles, all the combinations exhibited greening thereby initiating protocorm formation. In vitro propagation study revealed that the shortest time for initial germination was observed in P19 x P5 (Tolumnia Jairak Firm Sweet Pink x O. Jairak Fragrance Montho) (less than 1 month), while the longest is in P12 x P19 (1 month and 3 weeks). The fastest time for deflasking is also seen in P19 x P5 (O. Kampangsan White x Tolumnia Jairak Firm Sweet Pink) (7 months and 1 week), whereas the longest is in P12 x P19 and P5 x P19 (8 months and 1 week). This variation highlighted the influence of genetic combinations on growth stages in Oncidium orchid cross-combinations. Wide variation in days for different stages was noticed among different cross-combinations. The total days for initial germination ranged from 4 weeks to 1 month and 3 weeks. Further, days to protocorm formation varied from 1 month 4 weeks to 3 months and 1 week. The first leaf initiation started in 3 months and 2 weeks and ended up to 3 months and 4 weeks. Shoot initiation occurred from 4 months, 2 weeks of culturing to 5 months and 3 weeks of culturing. The roots were finally produced in 6 months to 6 months and 3 weeks. The deflasking was done for each cross-combination from 7 months, 1 week to 8 months, 1 week. Deflasked plantlets were subjected to morphological evaluation. Among the five cross combinations, P5 x P19 (Oncidium Jairak Fragrance Montho x Tolumnia Jairak Firm Sweet Pink) was observed as the longest plantlet for leaf length, root length, a greater number of roots and a higher root diameter. This indicated robust growth in seedling height, potentially due to favourable genetic combinations. The longest leaf reflected that superior leaf development is beneficial for photosynthesis and vigour. The longest root aids for better root extension, nutrient and water uptake. In conclusion, this research on Oncidium and equitant Oncidium orchids successfully integrated morpho-molecular characterisation, hybridisation and in vitro propagation to develop novel hybrids with significant genetic potential. Molecular diversity analysis using ISSR markers facilitated parental variability analysis, while hybridisation efforts yielded five promising cross-combinations, with P5 x P19 (Oncidium Jairak Fragrance Montho x Tolumnia Jairak Firm Sweet Pink) emerging as the most robust in terms of seedling vigour, leaf and root development and overall growth performance making it a promising candidate for further development. The study also optimised in vitro propagation protocols, ensuring successful germination and plantlet establishment. These findings underscore the potential of Oncidium orchids for commercial breeding, paving the way for further genetic enhancement and large-scale propagation.Item Development and evaluation of high yielding, mosaic tolerant backcross progenies in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) variety Preethi using morphological, biochemical and molecular markers(Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture ,Vellayani, 2024-05-23) Ankitha, M O; KAU; Bindu, M RThe present research work entitled ‘Development and evaluation of high yielding, mosaic tolerant backcross progenies in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) variety Preethi using morphological, biochemical and molecular markers’ was conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and Farming Systems Research Station (FSRS), Sadanandapuram during the year 2020-2023, with an objective to develop high yielding mosaic tolerant backcross progenies in bitter gourd using morphological, biochemical and molecular markers. Thirty three bitter gourd genotypes, including KAU released varieties (2 No’s), NBPGR accessions (13 No’s), and local collections from all over India were used for screening mosaic tolerance. Out of the 33 genotypes, 26 genotypes were Momordica charantia var. charantia and seven were Momordica charantia var. muricata. All these genotypes were artificially inoculated with the three viruses Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus (ToLCNDV) and Papaya Ringspot virus (PRSV) through wedge grafting. Wedge grafting was done using the infected plant shoots as scion and the collected genotypes as root stock and regrowth from the cotyledonary axis was examined for symptom expression. Out of the 33 genotypes screened, three were highly resistant, four were resistant, five were moderately resistant, six were moderately susceptible, ten were susceptible and five were highly susceptible. The genotypes Lodhi local, Udayagiri local and Therthali local recorded a lowest Vulnerability Index of zero. Molecular markers reported in Cucurbitaceae family were validated for bitter gourd mosaic resistance gene. SSR-11-1 marker for CMV resistance and CAPS marker for Potyvirus resistance gene were used, but no amplification was obtained. Double Antibody Sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA) was performed to confirm the resistance reaction of three highly resistant genotypes identified in seedling screening. Optical density (OD) value of the genotypes for the three viruses, CMV, ToLCNDV and PRSV were less than twice the OD value of the un-inoculated healthy plant which confirmed highly resistant disease reaction of genotypes. Molecular confirmation was done by using coat protein primer (Deng primer) specific to the Begomovirus group. Deng primer amplifies coat protein gene of ToLCNDV (520 bp), so that band will be present in only susceptible genotypes and will be absent in resistant ones. Plant defense related enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenyl alanine ammonialyase was estimated and there was increased rate of synthesis of these enzymes in the identified resistant genotypes. So the identified resistant genotypes, Lodhi local, Udayagiri local and Therthali local were used as the donor parent for imparting mosaic resistance into the bitter gourd variety Preethi. Lodhi local is M. charantia var. charantia genotype where as both Udayagiri local and Therthali local are M. charantia var. muricata genotypes. High yielding variety released from KAU viz., ‘Preethi’ was selected as the recurrent parent in the study. Preethi was crossed with the three donor parents and F1s were produced. The F1s were morphologically evaluated with the parents for seventeen characters and it was observed that all the characters of F1 were approximately the average of two parents. All the F1s were backcrossed with Preethi to produce BC1F1 segregants. In the backcross progeny of the cross involving Preethi and Lodhi local, a total of 176 BC1F1 lines were developed. BC1F1 lines were artificially inoculated for their disease reaction. Among the 176 BC1F1 lines, 22 were found to be highly resistant to mosaic disease, 30 were resistant, 30 were moderately resistant, 26 were moderately susceptible, 35 were susceptible and 33 were highly susceptible. Confirmation of resistance was done using DAS- ELISA, Deng primers and estimation of defense enzymes. All the 17 biometrical characters were recorded and the Euclidean distance of the highly resistant BC1F1 lines from the recurrent parent Preethi was calculated using proximity dissimilarity matrix analysis. The 14 BC1F1 lines with high phenotypic similarity to Preethi was backcrossed to develop BC2F1 lines. In the backcross progeny of the cross involving Preethi and Udayagiri local, a total of 170 BC1F1 lines were produced. Among them 15 BC1F1 lines were highly resistant. Resistant reaction of identified 15 BC1F1 was confirmed by DAS-ELISA, molecular screening and biochemical analysis. Euclidean distance of the highly resistant 15 BC1F1 lines from the recurrent parent revealed that eight lines showed similarity with Preethi and they were backcrossed to get BC2F1 lines. A total 147 BC1F1 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Therthali local were screened at seedling stage. Out of the 147 lines, 16 BC1F1 lines were highly resistant. DAS-ELISA, molecular screening using aforementioned Deng primer confirmed the resistant reaction of these lines. Euclidean distance using biometric characters found that, out of 16 highly resistant BC1F1 lines eight lines had close proximity with Preethi. These lines were used to produce BC2F1 lines. The 190 BC2F1 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Lodhi local were screened at seedling stage and in 24 BC2F1 lines, there was absence of virus coat protein band which confirmed the highly resistant disease reaction of the aforementioned lines. The 12 BC2F1 lines with the shortest Euclidean distance and high phenotypic similarity with Preethi were selfed to generate BC2F2 seeds. In the 134 BC2F1 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Udayairi local, seedling screening recorded 17 highly resistant lines. After molecular confirmation of mosaic resistance four BC2F1 lines with close proximity to Preethi were selfed to get BC2F2 seeds. Out of the 143 BC2F1 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Therthali local, 20 BC2F1 lines were highly resistant. The molecular analysis of the 20 BC2F1 lines also confirmed the highly resistant reaction. Four BC2F1 lines with the shortest Euclidean distance was selected and selfed to produce BC2F2 seeds. Although there were BC2F2 seeds of three different crosses, only the BC2F2 seeds of the cross involving Preethi and Lodhi local was carried forward for further backcrossing. This is due to the low yield potential of the backcross progenies of the crosses involving M. charantia var. muricata genotypes. So 206 BC2F2 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Lodhi local were artificially screened at seedling stage for mosaic incidence. Out of the 206 BC2F2 lines, 42 plants were highly resistant to bitter gourd mosaic viruses. The 42 mosaic tolerant backcross inbred lines developed in the study can be carried forward for the development of a mosaic tolerant essentially derived variety (EDV) in the background of high yielding variety Preethi. The backcross progenies obtained in the crosses involving muricata genotypes can be further evaluated for its nutraceutical values.Item Development and evaluation of high yielding, mosaic tolerant backcross progenies in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) variety Preethi using morphological, biochemical and molecular markers(Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 2024-05-23) Ankitha, M O; KAU; Bindu, M RThe present research work entitled ‘Development and evaluation of high yielding, mosaic tolerant backcross progenies in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) variety Preethi using morphological, biochemical and molecular markers’ was conducted in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Agriculture, Vellayani and Farming Systems Research Station (FSRS), Sadanandapuram during the year 2020-2023, with an objective to develop high yielding mosaic tolerant backcross progenies in bitter gourd using morphological, biochemical and molecular markers. Thirty three bitter gourd genotypes, including KAU released varieties (2 No’s), NBPGR accessions (13 No’s), and local collections from all over India were used for screening mosaic tolerance. Out of the 33 genotypes, 26 genotypes were Momordica charantia var. charantia and seven were Momordica charantia var. muricata. All these genotypes were artificially inoculated with the three viruses Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus (ToLCNDV) and Papaya Ringspot virus (PRSV) through wedge grafting. Wedge grafting was done using the infected plant shoots as scion and the collected genotypes as root stock and regrowth from the cotyledonary axis was examined for symptom expression. Out of the 33 genotypes screened, three were highly resistant, four were resistant, five were moderately resistant, six were moderately susceptible, ten were susceptible and five were highly susceptible. The genotypes Lodhi local, Udayagiri local and Therthali local recorded a lowest Vulnerability Index of zero. Molecular markers reported in Cucurbitaceae family were validated for bitter gourd mosaic resistance gene. SSR-11-1 marker for CMV resistance and CAPS marker for Potyvirus resistance gene were used, but no amplification was obtained. Double Antibody Sandwich ELISA (DAS-ELISA) was performed to confirm the resistance reaction of three highly resistant genotypes identified in seedling screening. Optical density (OD) value of the genotypes for the three viruses, CMV, ToLCNDV and PRSV were less than twice the OD value of the un-inoculated healthy plant which confirmed highly resistant disease reaction of genotypes. Molecular confirmation was done by using coat protein primer (Deng primer) specific to the Begomovirus group. Deng primer amplifies coat protein gene of ToLCNDV (520 bp), so that band will be present in only susceptible genotypes and will be absent in resistant ones. Plant defense related enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenyl alanine ammonialyase was estimated and there was increased rate of synthesis of these enzymes in the identified resistant genotypes. So the identified resistant genotypes, Lodhi local, Udayagiri local and Therthali local were used as the donor parent for imparting mosaic resistance into the bitter gourd variety Preethi. Lodhi local is M. charantia var. charantia genotype where as both Udayagiri local and Therthali local are M. charantia var. muricata genotypes. High yielding variety released from KAU viz., ‘Preethi’ was selected as the recurrent parent in the study. Preethi was crossed with the three donor parents and F1s were produced. The F1s were morphologically evaluated with the parents for seventeen characters and it was observed that all the characters of F1 were approximately the average of two parents. All the F1s were backcrossed with Preethi to produce BC1F1 segregants. In the backcross progeny of the cross involving Preethi and Lodhi local, a total of 176 BC1F1 lines were developed. BC1F1 lines were artificially inoculated for their disease reaction. Among the 176 BC1F1 lines, 22 were found to be highly resistant to mosaic disease, 30 were resistant, 30 were moderately resistant, 26 were moderately susceptible, 35 were susceptible and 33 were highly susceptible. Confirmation of resistance was done using DAS- ELISA, Deng primers and estimation of defense enzymes. All the 17 biometrical characters were recorded and the Euclidean distance of the highly resistant BC1F1 lines from the recurrent parent Preethi was calculated using proximity dissimilarity matrix analysis. The 14 BC1F1 lines with high phenotypic similarity to Preethi was backcrossed to develop BC2F1 lines. In the backcross progeny of the cross involving Preethi and Udayagiri local, a total of 170 BC1F1 lines were produced. Among them 15 BC1F1 lines were highly resistant. Resistant reaction of identified 15 BC1F1 was confirmed by DAS-ELISA, molecular screening and biochemical analysis. Euclidean distance of the highly resistant 15 BC1F1 lines from the recurrent parent revealed that eight lines showed similarity with Preethi and they were backcrossed to get BC2F1 lines. A total 147 BC1F1 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Therthali local were screened at seedling stage. Out of the 147 lines, 16 BC1F1 lines were highly resistant. DAS-ELISA, molecular screening using aforementioned Deng primer confirmed the resistant reaction of these lines. Euclidean distance using biometric characters found that, out of 16 highly resistant BC1F1 lines eight lines had close proximity with Preethi. These lines were used to produce BC2F1 lines. The 190 BC2F1 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Lodhi local were screened at seedling stage and in 24 BC2F1 lines, there was absence of virus coat protein band which confirmed the highly resistant disease reaction of the aforementioned lines. The 12 BC2F1 lines with the shortest Euclidean distance and high phenotypic similarity with Preethi were selfed to generate BC2F2 seeds. In the 134 BC2F1 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Udayairi local, seedling screening recorded 17 highly resistant lines. After molecular confirmation of mosaic resistance four BC2F1 lines with close proximity to Preethi were selfed to get BC2F2 seeds. Out of the 143 BC2F1 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Therthali local, 20 BC2F1 lines were highly resistant. The molecular analysis of the 20 BC2F1 lines also confirmed the highly resistant reaction. Four BC2F1 lines with the shortest Euclidean distance was selected and selfed to produce BC2F2 seeds. Although there were BC2F2 seeds of three different crosses, only the BC2F2 seeds of the cross involving Preethi and Lodhi local was carried forward for further backcrossing. This is due to the low yield potential of the backcross progenies of the crosses involving M. charantia var. muricata genotypes. So 206 BC2F2 lines of the cross involving Preethi and Lodhi local were artificially screened at seedling stage for mosaic incidence. Out of the 206 BC2F2 lines, 42 plants were highly resistant to bitter gourd mosaic viruses. The 42 mosaic tolerant backcross inbred lines developed in the study can be carried forward for the development of a mosaic tolerant essentially derived variety (EDV) in the background of high yielding variety Preethi. The backcross progenies obtained in the crosses involving muricata genotypes can be further evaluated for its nutraceutical values.