PLANT

BREEDING and GENETICS

ININDIA
Volume , One

BY

DR. R. H. RICHHARIA
M.Sc., Ph.D. (Cantab) , FoB.S., F.R.S.,A..

Principal, Bihar Agricultural College and Regional Director, AgtiC\lltur.l

Research In,ftitute, Sabour, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture and
Fellow of Bihar University, Formerv. Oilseed Specialist, Govt.
of Madhya Pradesh, Economic Botanist and Rice
Specialist, Govt. of Bihar, Professor of
Botany, Bihar Agricultural College,
Sabour,

1957
SCIENTIFIC BOOK COMPANY
PATNA-4 (INDIA)

By the Same Author

1. Plaut Breediug Techuique iu Receut Years.
Second revised Edition 3/12/2.

Wealth from Waste: Indian Linseed Plant

from Fibre point of view

1 5/8/ ~

3. Improved varieties of Crop plant s of Bihar 4/8/.

First Edition, 1945.

Second Editio n, 1957

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PREFACE
The second edition of this publication was called for in view
of the fact that of late there has been a pressing demand from
Universities and Institutions, engaged in teaching and research
on Plant Breeding and Genetics and from Extension workers in
the country. The demand from abroad has been still greater,
as the work carried out in this Country is not readily available
to the workers outside India.
Nter 1945 when this book appeared first, there has been' a
rapid progress in genetics and plant breeding in this Country,
mainly to evulve economic strains of crop plants, and the volwninous literature, already accumulated, could not possibly be
includ d in one volume. I, therefore, decided to reproduce the
work in this second edition as Volume!. wh reasthework carried
out after 1945 mainly will form the subject matter of Vollime II.
I agree that a single treatment of the entire subject with up-todate knowledg would have been a better approach, but this
would mcan a further delay whi h was not being appreciated
by my colleagues and pupils. The present edition is, therefore,
essentially the same as it first appeared in 1945 xcept that at
places certain rearrang ll1ents have been introduced and a few
references which could be conveniently added have been included
here and there in an attempt to bring certain subjects up-to-date.
Once again I acknowledge the help which I received from the
writings of numerous workers, upon which I drew freely. y
thanks are also due to the different scientific ~ocieties . f,,-oIl)
whose scientific journals I have reproduced the figures with due
acknowledgements.

Bihar Agricultural College.

Sabour, India.
15- 2 -57.

R. H. R.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

The practical aspect of genetic research in relation to increased crop production needs no emphasis, as it is generally
recognised that the introduction of improved varieties under
cultivation can easily increase yield of crops by about 10 to 15
per cent. The scientific literature on improvement of Indian
crops is vast, being scattered in several Indian Journals and any
attempt to review it systematically is bound to be a fruitful line
of work in this scientific development. Sir John Russell's
remark that there is a considerable amount of good work in
this vast mass of publications and that it would be unfortunat if
it passed into oblivion, further supports the need for undertaking
such summaries of work, on different subjects of Indian agriculture. My present endeavour, in bringing together useful information with special reference to plant breeding and genetics,
therefore, needs little explanation and justification.
I have not attempted to make a critical study of the published
material available and my principal object has been to summarise the considerable literature on the subject up to and including
the year 1940 (also in some cases upto 1943). The value of this
resume, I consider, does not lie so much, in compiling up-to-date
Indian literature, as in that it refers to the work recorded in
pub~ications likely to be overlooked or which are not easily
accessible. To the professional research worker, this may only
serve as a reference book. He has ultimately to consult the
original references. To the worker who is connected with the
development programme, in the introduction of better varieties,
in raising more and better food grains in the country, the information recorded here, I believe, will be useful. Since going
to the press, some valuable papers have appeared particularly in
-Report on the work of the Ialpel'jal Council of Agricultural Research

in applying science to crop production in India-by Sir John RUlIScJl, Govl.

qf India Press, 1937 : Page 6.

( v

The Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding.

These,
along with other references which have been left out, will form
the subject of a supplementary publication in due course.
The crops under cultivation in India are far more numerous
than those referred to in this volume wherein references have been
made only to those on which scientific work connected with their
improvement, with special reference to plant breed ing and genetics, has been recorded.
With its completion it gives me great pleasur to acknowledge
my indebtedness to Dr. B. P. Pal"' , Imperial Economic Botanist,
who showed great interest in the progress of this work and who
unreservedly gave me all possible help and advice and placed
at my disposal his own collection on various subjrcts, and to all
those who have given me as!>istance of any kind. My thanks
arc also due to Dr. B. S. Kadamt , Assistant Agricultural Commissioner, with the Government of India, for hi s valuable advice,
and to authors whose work has been included here and also to
the editors of various journals who have permitted me to reproduce their figures and for the loan of blocks. I cannot
condud this Preface without recording my obligation to the
librarians of the School of Agri culture, Cambridge, England,
Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi , Vi ctoria
Technical Institute, Nagpur, and the Agricultural Coli ge
and Research Institute, Coimbatore, for giving me facilities in
this search for scientific literature.

R. H. R.
Agric. Research Institute, }
Sabour, Bihar
India.

1-5-45

Now Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.

:::Now Agricultural Extension Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculturr;
Government ofIndia, New Delhi.

CONTENTS
Page
Frontispiece
iii-v
Preface
Cereals. Wheat, Barley, Oats, Maize
Chapter I
1-88
and Rice.
Oilseeds. Linseed, Mustards, Tal'aChapter II
mira, Sesame, Groundnut, Coconut,
Castor, Safflower, Niger and Pongam oil.
89-135
Chapter III Millets. Sorghums, Pearl millet,
Kodo millet, Indian millet, Finger
millet, Common millet, Kutki millet
and Sarna millet.
136-178
pter IV Beans and
Pulses . Pigeon pea,
Gram, Green gram, Black gram,
Indian (eld and garden bean, Lathyrus, Pea;--SClybean, Cluster bean, Dew
gram, Cowpea, Pachyrhii!;us angulatus,
Broad bean, Burma bean, French bean,
Horse gram, Goa bean, Sword bean
and Lentil.
.. , 179-215
Chapter V
Fibres. Cotton, Jute, Sunnhemp, Hibiscus, Agave and Flax.
...216-263
Chapter VI Fruit Crops. Plantain, Pomegranate,
Mango, Papaya, Citrus fruits, Guava,
Grape, Plum, Cashew-nut, Water
melon, Custard apples, Coccinia indica,
Date palm, Zi.(.iphus, Peach, Sapa~,
Mulberry, Litchi, Fig and Apples. ... 264-288
Chapter VII Vegetables . Brinjal, Potato, Chillies,
Colocasia,
Moring a,
Cucumb r,
Lady's finger, Tric/wsanthes, Radish,

( ii

Cucurbits, Bitter gourd, Snake gourd,

Sweet potato, Onion, Luffa, Mushroom, Yam, Tomato, Cabbage and
Cauliflower, etc.
. .. 289-308
Chapter VIII Sugar Crop. Sugarcane.
.., 309-339
Chapter IX Drugs, Spices, Condiments and
medicinal plants. Tabacco, Coffee,
T ea, Indian hemp, Cummin seed,
Garlic, Coriander, Turmeric, Opium
poppy, Cardamom, Betel nut, Betel
vine, Ginger, Clove, Trigonella,
Piper, Cinchona, Cassia, Pyrethrum
and other medicinal plants.
. .. 340-357
Grasses and fodder.
..,358-368
Chapter X
Chapter XI Miscellaneous crops. Indigo, J asmine, Sesbania, Camphor, Indian
cork tree, Sansevieria, Sago palm,
Rubber p1ants, Saffron, Buck-wheat,
Kudzu vine, Vettiver and Bamboos ... 369-376
Chapter XII Other information .
(i) R eferences on vernalization.
. .. 377
(i i) Other references.
." 378-381
(iii) Imperial Pusa (New Pllsa) strains.
(A) List of improved strains (1 945 ; ... 381-385
(B) List of improved strains ( 1955) ... 386-395
(C) Kulu valley seeds
395-401
.. . 402
Index

CHAPTER I

CEREALS
Cereals include wheat, barley, oat, maize and rice. They
, occupy about 120 millions of acres, amounting approximately
to half of the total cultivated area in India.
Wheat.

Triticum Linn. Gramineae.

Wheat is, next to rice, the most important ,cereal in India
and occupies, on an average, about 10% of the total cultivated
area. Five species of Triticum are cultivated, namely:
T. dicoccum SchUb!. (2n=28) .
T. durum Desr. (2n=28).
T. turgidum Linn. (2n = 28).
T. sphaerococcum Perc. (2n=42) .
T. vulgare Host. (2n=42).
The first three species belong to the Emmer group, with the
chromosome number 2n=28, and the remaining two to the
Bread or vulgare group with 2n=42. T. vulgare is really the im
portant species. Howard and Howard (1909 a) reported the
' occurrenc of T. compactum Host. in India, but according to
Percival (1921) the wheats, referred to by H.owards really
belong to T. sphaerococcum, whereas T. compactum is not
found in India.
When work on the improvement ofwheat"in India was com
menccd in the beginning of this century, surveys of the existing
material w re carried out. Collections of se ds were made in
the wheat growing districts. These samples consi ted mostly
of mixed seed~. The samples were grown and the different
varieties sorted out and classified after a study of their botanical
and agricultural characters. The results of lhese early studies
are giv n by Howard and Howard (1909 b). Later studies on

( 2

the wheats of Bihar, Orissa, Baluchistan, Khorasan and the

Kurram valley were made by Howard (1916) and Howard,
Howard & Khan (1922).
Breeding-The early work on the breeding of wheat was
done by Mr. (now Sir) Albert Howard and Mrs. Howard.
They recognised that improvement not only in yield but also
in quality was required. At the time they commenced their
, investigations, Indian wheats had the reputation of being ~oft and
inferior in quality to the hard wheats of North America. The
Howards were able to show that India is capable of growing the
highest quality wheats and a lmost a ll the well-known "Pusa" *
series of wheats a re hard wheats equal in quality to good Manitoba wheat (Howard and Howard 1908, et seq). Several of
tbertl have won first prizes in open competition abroad . Among
the earlier wheats, Pusa 4 and Pusa 12, produced by selection,
and Pusa 52, Pusa 80-5 and Pusa 101, produced by hybridization, proved to be very successful. Of the wheat strains produced in more recent years at the Imperial Institute oC Agricultural Research, Pusa, (now at New Delhi) Pusa IIl-a mutant
from Pusa 4 has been pronounced equal in quality to the best
Canadian wheat and Pusa 114, selected from a natural cross in
the Australian variety, Federation, has been successful in the
Lloyd Barrage lands in Sind, on account of its quality and disease resistance. Pusa 120 is very highly rust-resistant to the
physiologic races of yellow rust, occurring in India (Shaw and
Pal, 1936) and Pusa 165 is a good all-round early wheat.
Notable successes in wheat breeding have also been achieved in the major wheat-growing Provinces:
The Punjab variety, SA, has been popular in the Punjab for
some time. It is, however, now being replaced by recently
introduced strains of hybrid origin. Of these, Cross 518 is remarkable for its high yield and Cross 591 for its attractive grain
quality.
*The strains' bred at the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research,
Pusa ( /lOW at New D elhi) are known as Imperial Pusa or /. P. strains, also
now known as Ntw Pusa or N. P. strains.

3 )
In the United Provinces the strain, Cawnpore 13, is ' reported to be doing well.
In Sind the breeders have selected from the local varieties the
strains, C. Ph. 47, A. T. 38 and H. S. W. III which are proving
popular. No. I Manitoba, the famous Canadian wheat, has
been utilized in hybridization to improve the quality of highyielding ind wheats (Jenkins, 1932). Crosses made between
No. 1 Manitoba and Pusa 12 appeared most promising
(Jenkins, 1932, 34). Observations on Fl hybrids between C.
Ph. 47 and Pusa 114 have also been recorded (jenkins, 1934).
In Peninsular India the position is rather different to that in:
the great wheat growing tract of Northern India, and durum,
turgidum and Emmer are more extensively grown.
In the Bombay Presi.dency the durum strains, 162, 168 and
224 have bem successful. SLrain 808, bred from a cross
between durum and Emmer variety combines good yield with
considerable rust-resistance.
In the Central Provinces the strains, A. 112, A. 113 and
A. 115 are being grown successfully.
In recent years increasing attention is being paid to the problem of disease resistance in wheat. Enormous losses are caused
annually by the three rusts of wheat, loose smut and other diseases. The rust problem has been studied intensively by Prof. K.
C. Mehta of Agra who has shown that in the plains of India the
.severe heat of summer kills the rust spores (uredospores) and that
the wheat crop is infected anew each season by the spores blown
down from the hills where wheat is cultivated upto an altitude
of about 9000 feet above sea-level. The barberry, though common
in the hills, seemS to play but little part in the annual recurrence
of black rust (Mehta, 1933), and it is the self-sown wheat plaets
and ratoon tillers from harvested plants in the hill districts which
.constitute the principal means of carry-over of the rust from
year to year. The hill areas under wheat cultivation compose
less than five percent of the total acreage under wheat in India
and it is, therefore, obvious that the inoculum, corning down
to the plains, would be considerably. reduced by the cultivation

of only highly resistant varieties in the ,hills. With this object

in view to produce rust-resistant varieties for' the hills that wheat
breeding is being carried dn by Dr, B. P. Pal of the Imperial
Agricultural Research Institute, NeW' Delhi, With the collaboration of Prof. K. C . Mehta. The problem is a complex one as
all the three species of wheat-rust (Puccinia 'grami,zis, P. triticina,
and P. glumarum) are present and no Indian wheat variety is
known to possess high resistance to all the physiologic ' races of
anyone of the rusts with the exception of Pusa 120 (or 1. P.
120) which, as previously mentioned, is highly resista nt to yellow
rust. Resistant foreign varieties have, h wever, been crossed with some of the most promising indigenous wheats. In the
endeavour to introduce rust-resistance, varieties of T, vttlgarc
have been crossed with T. dicoccum (Khapli ) and other species.
The seeds obtained from crosses between T. vulgare and T.
dicoccuTT'l did not, as a rule, germinate or if germination took
place, the seedlings did not survive. In a few instances, where
the hybrids survived, they prov d (with one exception) to be
completely sterile (Pal, 1937) . The cross s tween T. tJulgare
and T. Timopheevi Zhuk. did not germinate. But the crosses,
T. vulgarex T. Vavilovi, X T. durum x T. dicoccum (khapli) and
T. dicoccum '5< T. persicum produced very vigorous hybrids (Pal.
1938b) .

To transfer the rust-resistance property of khapli to other

wheats, the following attempts were also made: Main (1907-8,
1912-13) successfully crossed Some whcat varieties with khapli.
Shrivastava (1937) made a number of crosses, chief among
which being Fl (vulgare '5< durum ) xdicoccum var. khapli, and
F I (durum ~~ dicoccum var. khapli) X vulgare, but no fertile forms. '
could he obtained. Some of the best Bombay wheats were also
crossed with the immune Russian wheats (black stcm rust), T.
viticulosum X T. typicu m, but Fl plants from those crosses also
turned out to be sterile (Kadam, 1936 c., 38).
A study of the smut-resistance of wheat, with a view to their
ultimate control by the development of resistant varieties, 'has
been in progress at the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute.

New Delhi tPal and Mundkur, 1939).

Improved strains of wheat under cultivation in different
part~ of India have been recorded on pages 8-11.
Genetics.
A concise account of variability in Indian wheats has been
recorded by Pal and others (1941), and the mode of inheritance of some important economic characters has been studied
by a number of authors, mention ' d below:
Grain colour:-Howard and Howard (1912) found that the
r d colour of the grain may be due to the presence of one, two
or three factors which arc inherited independently and which
arc individuall y capable of producing red colouration of variable
grades.
According to Kadam (1936 b) red grain colour of the dicoccum vari ty, khapli 568, is dominant to the yellow grain colour
of bansi (T. durum ).
Grain texture- On crossing a constant soft wheat with a translucent one, distinct segregation into soft, intermediate and
translucent wheats was obtained in the ratio of 1: 2: 1. The
segregation was independent of the nitrogen percentage.
(Howard a nd Howard, 1912) .
Glume colour- The red glume colour is due to a single factor
(Howard and Howard, 1912; Kadam, 1936 b). This gene,
Rg-a also produces red awn colour, but is hypostatic of the
black awn olour, gene B, in the awn region.
Hairifless:- The hairs on the chaff of felted wheats vary
considerably in length and density and one or more kinds may
be present in the same wheat. Each kind of hair is due to a
single factor and these factors are inherited indep ndently of each
other (Howard and Howard, 1912; 1915 a). Kadam (1936b)
found that the hairiness of glumes inKala-khapli 568 is determined by the gene p and is dominant to the glabrous P condition
in bansi. The gene P is completely linked with the black awn
colour gene B .

.
Awn colour :-In a cross between a black-awned and a white
awned variety, Howard and Howard (1912) obtained a simple

( 6 )
monogenic segregation in F 2' the black colour of the awns
being dominant. Later studies on the inheritance of awn colour by Kadam and Nazareth (193 1) showed that the black and
red awn colours are determined by two separate factors, B
(producing black colour, and epistatic to R ) and R (producing red awn colour). In a cross b tween the black awned
variety, kala-khapli 568 (7. dicocrum) and the red awned
variety, bansi 103 (7. durum ), the black colour was dominant
in F I, and in F 2' a ratio of 12 black: 3 red: 1 white was obtained.
Presence oj awn : - The awned condition depcnds on two
factors, FI being tipped and in F 2 , a ratio of 15 awned (various
grades): 1 awnless is observed (H oward and Howard, 19 J 5 a).
Shattering qf ear.- H oward and Howard ( J912) found that two
factors are inv(Jn'd to control these characters and distinct
segregation W,l S ob~ervcd in F"
Fragile racMs- Kadam and Kulkarni (1937, 38 a, b) showed
that the fr"gile rachis of kala-khapli is monodominant
to the tough rachis of ba1zsi. Th actiol! of the major gene
T is influenced by minor genes.
Flowering period-Observations on the inheritance or average
flowering period have been made by Kadam and Kulkarni
(1937, 38 a, b).
Development of anthocyanin pigment.-Studies on the d velopment of anthocyanin pigment in the wheat plant have been
made by Kadam and Kulkarni (1937, 38 a, b).
IDter-geDeric crosses.- Crosses between wheat and rye
have been made in the Punjab (Anon., 1936) and at Simla (Pal. *
unpublished). The hybrids proved to be sterile. In the
Central Provinces the amphidiploid Aegilo-tricum (2n=56) has
been crossed with T. vulgare and with the F I of a cross T. vulgare X
dicoccum by Dr. G. S. Bhatia, (Shrivastava, 1938; Anon., 1939.)
A. ovala :>< T. vulgare has also been recorded by Shrivastava
(1938). Pathak (1942) refers to an intcrgeneric hybrid, T.
vulgarexAegilops caudata, which showed 2n=28 .

r.

Pal, B. P. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Deihl.

7 )

Natural cros sing.-Natura1 crossing in wheat is, as a rule,

very rare. Howard and Howard (1909 a, b) and Howard,
Howard and Khan (1910) observed several instances of natural
crossing occurring at Lyallpur and other places. This phenomenon is found to be far more frequent in the dry climate of
LyaJlpur than it is in Bihar with its relatively damp climate.
Main (1913-14, 1914-15) records cases of natural crosging in
wheat from Nadiad A~rieultural Station (Bombay) .
Cytology.- Observations on the behaviour of chromosomes in hybrids between species of Triticum and allied genera
made in Russia have been recorded by Kostoff (1937) . Pathak
(1942) made the following cytological observations on Triticum
hybrids: In T. vulgarcx T Timophcevi, Fl showed 35 and one
F 2 plant, 40 chromosomes. In T . vulgare l< T. dicoccum two F I
plants possessed 36 and 40 ehromos mes respectively. (T.
vulgare l< T. dicoccum) X T. dicoccum, a back-cross, was founJ to
possess 36 chromosomes, and in a complex cross, (T. dicoccwnX
T. durum) l< T. vulgare, 35 chromosomes were observed.
Cytological investigations of T. dicoccum, "khapli" Emmer,
T. vulgare var. albidum "M udiya" (AO 88) and the three strains
of Sftarbati hybrids, A 112, A 113 and A 115, were made by Dr.
Bhatia at Nagpur and chromosomes from both of the parents
could be distinguished in the hybrids (Shrivastava, 1938). This
study was chiefly attempted to find out the possible cause for
the deterioration of the well-known Sharbati wheat hybrids,
grown in the Central Provinces, as regards their immunity to
the rust attack.
Mutations.- Recently Ranjan (1940) studied the effect
of X-rays on young seedlings of Pusa 52 wheat and obtained
eleven mutant types from the treated material, of which fo ur
were awned types and the rest awnless, the degree of awnlessness varying considerably. The spikes of the mutants in the first
year were much smaller than the spikes of the pfrent. In the next
generation they exhibited a m uch greater length.
Mis cellaneous .-Pal and Alam (1938, 39) record the
occurrence of heterosis in a wheat cross. They observed the

( 8 )
expression of heterosis to be greatly infl uenced by various external
factors and have suggested the desirability of studying the
phenomenon of hyb .d vigour under as wide a range of conditions as possible.
Early attempt~ to vernalise wheat at Pusa and Poona were
not successful. Recent experiments conducted by Pal. (1940)
at the Imperial Agri ultura l Research Jn titute, New Delhi,
have, however, yielded striking results which indicate that
Indian wheats behave differently from foreign wheatli and do
Dot respond to chilling. Experiments bein a conducted by Sen
(1940) at Almora also appear promisin g in this respect.
Root development studies of wheats commonly gTown in the
Central Provin ces were made at 1 agpul' and it IVa, cOllcluded
that there docs not appear to be any relationship 1 etweell lhc
root development and the rust-r<>sistant quality of wheat
(Mahta, 1929, 31).
Other relevant references on wheat have been included
under bibliography A & B. *

Improved Strains of Wheat

CENTRAL PROVINCES AND BERAR. (Now Madhya Pradesh)
Slwrbillt A. 113.

A high-quality cross-breu wheat, highly rust-rr;sistant,

suitabl e for irrigated as well as unirrigatcd conditioM .
.140 49. Cr<)S3 ht'tw('~n Kltarli and l\I,idia. A ('ond yi!" ldc>r, !!rain white and
p lump like Pissi and ear is compact. Partially rm l -re ;i~l"n1.
Ao 68. .II, high-grade' rrass, compact head with sUlal! round and glossy grain,
TUst-rrSts tant and a good yidckr, responds wdl to irrigation.
Pusa + Awnless ru st-resistan t m c!ium h ard wheat. more attraniv!" and
plump than Pu~a 100. Suitabk for sowinfi in low lying area ~ and as a
second crop after rice on heavy soils. Liable to damage by pigs.
Pusa 100. A semi-h ard rust-resistant \l'h at, respond s well to irrigati n, but
gives a good yield even as a dry crop in th e rice tra t.
Selected Ho wYlLIt. Typical hard yeJlow early wh~at, su itable' for tbe NagpurWardha tract .Gra;n medium sized rather lhin and pointOO .
*~ib!iography B in this buok includes the oITicial pllblicat;ons (Govern ment Pnntmg) of ~he D partmcnts of Agriculture in different States. Name
of a State where a p<',fticular publication appeared is shown ill italics,
followed b y the year of publication.

9 )
Ao 13 "Su/cerllaipissi" Sel<clioll. A very gooo-quality pale white soft wheat,
makes excellent bread, probably the mOst high yielding wheat of the
province, chiefly grown in Hoshangabad District in the Narbaclda Valley,
good whiLe coloun:d BIlusa, bold grain, does very well in dry years, maturity
early, not suitable for wet lands, very susceptible to rust, fetches premium
in the market. as compared with local wheat.
..1085. Same as Ao 13 but its grain is not so long as that of Ao 13. Seed
more plumpy than Ao 13. Early maturing wheat, !patures a week earlier
than Aa13.
Ersatll No. (Ao68 ) . A high-grade cross, closely related to Shnrbnli (AIlS) and
has the saml' rust-re.isting pow..:rs, carly maturing. mort' suited to the hill
tracts: SeC),..i, Mandla Chindwar2 etc., than AllS. It has done very well
also in Darnoll suu-division.
Ao8r. (A st lpetin.'1 of lolllria ). A very beavy yield er and has !arge bold grain,
known as .Huria. It is one of the parents of Slttlbalies. It is grown wdl
in J ubbulpore, Sihara and parts of Narsingpur. Like most heavy yielding piss;s, however, it is vcry easily an2ck(.>cl by rust. It is not suitt."<I to wet
lands.
A 11.'j. Sharbati. A high-quaLitv, rrOs;; bred wheat, highly rust-resistant, does
very well uncleI' irrigation, :i fair yidder und(T dry conditions, maturity
mediulIl, sllited for NarbadJa Valley and parL~ of Saugot District, grain
golden coloured, medium h,,:(1.
A090. Sharbati. It is a good-quality wheat, medium hard, commonly
grown in Narsingpur and jubbulpore Harl.:/i, does very well in light soils
under irrigation, very commonly preferred for til<' second crop after
paddy uuder irrigation, sli~htly heavier cropper than A115'
More
easily attack cl by rust than A 115.
I. P. 52. It riprl1S about a week earlier than AIlS Sht1'bati and does well
in bunded fields.
BOMBAY
Bell.li 224. It is a self.'ction from Ballsi wheat. The grain is lJniform. slightly
larger with a reddish oily lustre. It i~ a bit latc. It gives more yield.
Bansi 168. This is also a selection from Bansi. It is earlier. The colour of
the grain is yellow and at.trar.tive in appearance and gives more yield.
Bansipnlli 808. This wheat is a era.s between BmlSi and Klwpli. It ripens
earlier and yields mare. It has larger and lUSTrous yellow grain.

UNITED PROVINCES (Now Uttar Pradesh)

C. 13 (Triticum vulgare). Plant about 42 inches high and of moderate
tillering capaCity. Young shoots erect ;md of light green colour, CUlm9
wiLL usually four internodes. the upper one bearing tht' ears being long
and b~nt. Ears bearded and long (ahout 4.:) inchI'S), a littl~ broad across
tht: face (about 0.45 inchesl aud of mediullJ den ity i. f., havillg, on an
a\'erage, 1.'1 spikclets. Awns straight, persistent and SLOUt. Empty glumcs
smooth keeled. tapering to a small awn. grecn coloured with darker
shaded streaks in early stages, but develaping straw calour when ripe.
Grain, plump. while, semi-hard with blunt apex. Characterised by
early maturity, high yield and sui tabili ty far both irrigated and non-irrigated wheal tracts of Unitecl Provinces. Grains generally white and
bold and are classed as long and soft wheat.

BENGAL
Pusa 130-5 atzd Pu.m 6 have been acclimatised.
are Cangaja/i 50 and Jamali 24.

Other wheats being groWIl

10
BARODA STATE
4, P/lSa .')2 (llld Cawnporc 13 under local conuitions appC:lr to show a
greater resistance to rust thall is visible in barl years in local wheals.
Quality is btttcr under nOll-rust YC'ars, yitltlinl{ definitely lower than local
wheats in ab~encc of rust.

rUS(l

PUNJAB
T. dMum. Type J. Ears beardcJ, densely [,,!t ed, wililc, ntiu-den se : awns black;
grains amber, f1illty; straw tall. solid, withstanrls locif,ing f.1irly well;
tilJering poor; resis tant to smut. Most common and high".! yie lrling
sort of the Punjab macarQlli wheats. l{rcoltl1nc nded for ('ultivation in
Gujranwala and Sia lkot districts and other tracts where duruill wbeats
are ~rown .
T. "ll[r:are. 0.4. Ears bearded , mediumly felted, rrci, rathrr lax ; awns red;
grains amber, flinty; straw l'at hc'f weak, s\tsceptihl<: to lodging; tillering
capacity almost highest amon~ th e Punjab varieties.
g.D. Ears bcardrd, fdted, white, lax : awm white; grni ns amhcl'. semi-{Iint.y t;)
flinty ann plump; straw mid-tall, weak, susccptihle to lod ging: lill('l'ing
medium, rC's i~ tant to loo~e smu and yellow rUSI, but wry smc('ptilJie to
black-nlSt; does bt!st under baraTl; couclitiops, pal'lieulnt'iy in lhl' Amhala
and Jullundhar divisions; no~ suitento humid plal'('s; not recommended for
irrigatru cot1r:litiom, excepting in thc' Kan ~ra val1,y wb ere undc'r ~uch
conditions it has con~istcntly given remarkably superior rcsult~ over other
wheat~ .

C. 518 . Ears bearded, densely felted, whit .. , mid-Jel13e; awm, greyish to

black; grains amber, semi-flinty; slraw stIff and shon, \'1'1,' resi.,tant to
lodgin g, fairly resistant even to hail; tillering, medium; fairl y susceptible
to yellow ancl black-rust" particularlv to th<.: fOlm"r; do es hest on rich
irri~ated soi!q, where it gives very high yields; hold s lh" record for wheat
yield in In dia; not suitable for pOOr soils.
C. 591. Ears hearded, medium felted, white, rather lax; awns greyish, grains
amber, flinty and most attractive looking of all the wheal' in I ndia; straw
ta ll , withstands lodging; tiUering men ium ; susceptibl e to ye ll ow rust
and loose smut; makes e.xce!lent Chapatis; the grain fftch es a premium
in the market.

SIND.
C. PH. 47. Awnless variety with tall and strong straw. It has short compact earhead with a fan-shaped apex. The glumcs of the spikelets are
red and smooth and contain~ Jarg-e number of grains in thC' sp ikelet. The
grain is hard , small and plump. The colour of grain is amber. It is a high
yielding variety under irrigated condition~.
A. T. 38. It is an awnless variety with a pecu li ar tillering habit. Jt grows
tall and has a l,lOg lax and tapering carhcad. The ghllncs of spikelet are
white and smooth. The grains arc lon g and soft with ye llow colour.
Pu,yab S.-A. Evc.:lved by the Punjab Agricultural Department and found
It is an awned variety. tull and having
suitable und"r Sind condition..
a strong straw. The carh cadR arc long and lax, ~pik('kt8 having red
and hai ry glumes. Grain is long and amber coloured; ripens a bit
late and is some-what susceptible to rust.
H. S. W. III. It is an awned whc:al and i, tall with long, lax earhead and
with red and hairy glumes, grain being ambered coloured. It is high
yielding, especially under irrigated conditions.

11
Pusa

11 4.
It is tall growing with strong upright straw.
Earheads are large
and semi-compact and spikelets have red and hairy glumes. It bears
black coloured awns. The grain is round, plump, small and deep amher
coloured. It is liable to shed grain, if allowed to stand aft!'r ripening.
I t is resistant to rust.

NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE.

Pusa 4. It is sown on dnfasa!; land. The leaves of this wheat are dark grecO
and the stem is weak as compared to Federation 01' flina. The glumes
are th ickJy haired and the colour of grain is limbered white. It cannot be
grown su("cessfully on heavy soil and Ik-asli land.
I t is Sllsceptible
to smu t.
Federation. It is a good yielder on lk-Jasli land. Fme soil should he! prefC!l':ed
to grow it successfully. Tile grains hegin to shed from car", if hal'vesttng
is delayed. The lcav('s arc less in width than tho,e of Billa. The ear of
the plant is red in colour.
It is a beard less variety with soft glumcs. The
grain is ambered colour, thick and short in size.
C. 518. It gives good results, if sown on heav)' and fine soil. It has given
yi 'ld Up-lO 35 mLlllnds per acre lit Tarncb },'a rm. Th~ plant is dwarf and
stem weakel' tban that of F,dr1'atinll. It is a bearded wheat, the glumes
l?<'ing hairy and white in colour. The gra ins are hard to break and amber
In colour.
C. 591. Imported from the Punjab. It is liked very muc-h hy th e Zamindars,
on account of its go.d haking and loaf making gualities. On account
ofwcak straw, it lod):(cs OIl Ik:!a.li and heavy soil. The st('m is long and
c-ompal'ativeiy weak. [t is a bearded variety, glumes bcmg hairkss.
The colour of grain is light amber and hard to break under teeth. EaI~
are white in colour.
Bina. This wheat was imported from Australia. It is most suitable for
he~vy soil and Ik:fasli land. It docs not lodge, on account of the ~tra~
being strong. It is seldum attilckcd by smut and rust. If the harvesung IS
delayed the grains hegin to shed.
[t is a lso attackcd by birds. It is a
beardless variety, the leavc~ being deep green in colour. The grains
a re white in colour and soft to break under teeth.
ASSAM
/. P. 165 has been found suitable in certain

tract5.

BIHAR
T. P. 52 . Heavy yie lder ancl produces atla of satisfactory quality,
to rust than local.

k~

liable

BmUOGRAPHY A.
Anol!ymous, (1928-2g),

Dtp. Agrie. Bombay Pwidency Annual Rep., 1928-29:

1!)6-97.

Anonymous, (1936). Dep. Agrie. Punjab Annual Rep., 1936.

Report on marketing of wbeat in India. Govt. of [ndu.
Press, Simla. 451 pp.
1IllOnymous, (1939). D~p. Agric. emlral. Protinces & Berar, Annual Rep., 1938.

AIlOII)lmoUS, (1937).

12

Burns, W. (1939). The progress of agricultural science in India during the

past twenty-five years. Misc. Bull. Imperial Council of agric. Research,
india, 26 : 44 pp.
Butler, E . J. (1903). The Indian wheat rust problem. Imperial Dep.
Agrie. Bull., I (1903) .
Gammie, G. A. (190 1-03). Notc on provisional . dassifi cation of Indian
wheats cultivated during 190 1-03 al the Poona and Manjl'i Farms,
Bombay. Del'. Agrie. Bombay Presidency, Allllual Rep. , 191-3 .
Howard, G. L. C. (19 16) . The wheats of Bal uch;, lan, Khol'asau a nd the
Kurram Valley. Alem. Dcp. Agri... i ntiia, ( Bo~ . scr. ), 8 : I-all.
H owar?, (\. II;nd Howard , G. L. C. (1907) . Note Oll immune wheats.

J . aJfne.

SCI.,

1II:

27H-80 .

Ho",,:a.rd, A. and Howard, G. L . C. ( 1908) . The milling and baking quahucs of Indian wheats. Bull. .lgric. R es. b ut. PII,a, 14: I I pp.
Howard, A. and Howard . G . L. C. ( '909 a). Some Varietal charactcrs
of Inrl ian wh eats.
.\1,.,/1. i),p . .1gri.-. II/din , (Bol. Scr. ), 2: ,-GI.
Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1909 b). Wheal in India . Thacker
Spillk & Co ., Cakuna, 281.) pp.
Howa rd, A. and Howard, G. L. C . (1910). The milling and baking q ualities
of I rldia n whc:uts. No. ~: Some new Pu~a selections tested in 1909. Bull.
agric. R es. but . Pusa, 17 : 2'l pp.
Howard, A.
and Howard, G . L. C . ( Ig il a). The m illing and baking
qualities of Indian whealS. NO.3: o rne new Pusa hybrids tested irl 1910.
/)ull. a,erie. R,s. I nst. Pusa, 1II2 : 32 pp.
Howard, A. and Howard, G . L. C. (191' b). The improvement in the yield
and quality of Indian wheats. J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc., 21:: 187-200.
Howard, A. and Howa rd, G. L. C. ( 19 12) . On the inheritance of some
enaracters in wheat, 1. Mem. D fp. Agrie. India, (Bot. Ser.), 5 : 1-47.
Howard, A. and Howard, G . L. C . (1913). The improvement of Indian
wheat. Agric. J. India , 8 : 27-3+.
Howard , A. and Howard, G. L. C. (191 5 a). On the inheritance of some
characters in wheat 11. M em. Dep. Agrie. India , (BOL SCI'. ), 7 : 273- 8 5.
Howard,A.and H ::>wardG.I..C.( 191.5b). Pusal2. Agrie. J. IlIdia, lo :I-B.
Howard, A. and Howard, G . L. C. (1927) . The improvement of Indian
wheat. Bull, agrie. R es. blSt. Pusa, 171 : 26 pp.
Howard, A. How ard, G. L. C . & Khan, A. R . ( '910). The economic signifi cance of na tural cros:; ferlili7.ation in India. M em. Dep. Agrie. Itrdia,
(Bot. Ser. ), 3: 283-303.
Howard, A. Howard, G . L. C . & Khan, A. R. (1922). The wheats ofBibar
and Orissa.
A1em. Dep. Agrie. india, (BOl. Ser.), Ia : 1-l!0.
Howard, A. Howard, G. L.C. & Rahman. A., (1910) . Crops with closed
flowers.
M em. Dep. Agrie. ltrdia, (Bot. Ser), 3 : 283-303'
Howard , A. Leake, H . M. & Howard, G. L. C . (1910). The influence
of the environment on the milling and baking qualities of wheat in India,
No. I. The exPeriments of 1907-08 & 1908-09' Mem. Dep. Agrie. India,
(Bot. Ser. ), 3 : 191-220.
Howard, A. Leake, H. M. & Howard , G. L. C. (1913)' The influence of the
environment on the milling and baking qualities of wheat in India, NO.2:
The experiments of 1909-IO & 1910- 11. Mem. Dep. Agrie. India, (Bot. Ser.),
5: 49- 102

13

Howard, A. Leake, H. M. & Howard, G . L. C. (1914), Theinfluence of the

environment on the milling and baking qualities of wheat in India, NO.3:
The experiments of 19I1- 12, Mem. Dep. Agrie. India, (Bot. Ser.), 6 : 233-66.
Jmkins, W. G. (1932). Dep. Agrie. Sind, Annual. Rep., 1930-31 : 60.
Jenhins, W. G. (1934). Dep. Agrie. Sind, AnTlual Rep ., ' 932'"33'
Kadam, B. S. (1936 a). A new variety of wheat. Curro Sci., 4 : 833.
Katlam . B. S. ( 1936 b). Genetics of the Bansi wheat of the Bombay-Deccan
and synthetIc Khapli, Part 1. Proe. Indian Acad. Sci., 4 (B) : 357-869.
Kadam. B. S. (1936 e) D ep. Agrie. Bombay, .Annual Rep., ](935-36 : 198.
Kadam, B. S. (1938). Dep. Agrie. Bombay, Annual Rej)., 1937-38 : 230.
Kadam B. S. & Ku lkarni , R. K . ( 1937). Genetics of the Bansi wheat of
the Bombay-Deccan and a synthetic Khapli, Part II, proe. Indian
Acad., Sci., 5 (B) : IG9-1l2.
Kadam, B. S. & Kulkarni R. K. (1938 a ). Genelic improvement of wheat
in Bombay , I: Bansi-pali-B08. Ar.lJic Live. Sile. India, 8: 376-87.
Kadam, B.S. & Kulkarni, R . K. (1998 b). Genetic improvement of wheat
in Bombay, II. Bami-16B and Bansi-224. Agric. Live-Slle.
India,
8 : 675-82.
Kadam , B. S. & Nazareth, B. (1931 ). Inheritance of awn colour in wheat.
Indiall J. agrie. Sci., 1 : 663-70.
Kostuff, D. (1937) . Chromosome behaviour in Trilicum hybrid s and allied
genera. Proe. ITldian Acad. Sci., 5 (B): 23 1-36.
Leake, H . M. & Prasad, R. (19 12). Wheat experiments on the botanical
area, Cawnpore, and theif bearing on wheat cu ltivation in the United
provinces. Bull. agrie. R es. Ins/. Pllsa, 31 : 17 pp.
Luthra, J. C. (1936). Ancient wheat and its viability. Curro Sci., 4:
48 9-90.
Mahta, D. N. ( 1<)29). Dep. Agrie. emlral Provinces.
AmlUal Rep., Second
Eronomic Botanisl, . 929 .
Mahta. D. N. ( 1931 ). D rjl. Agrie. Cmlral Provinces. Annllal Rep., Second Economic Bolallist, I 9 31 .
Mahta, D. N. (193::1 ' , Dej" Agrie. Cenlral Provinces. Annual Rep., Second Eeono"/If jJfJ/llIllJ l , 1933.
Main. T . J'. (1907-6). D el'. Agric. Bombay Prc.ridCtlry, DllUlia Agric. Sill. Annual
Rep., 1907-8 :17-18.
Main, T. F. (1912-1 3). D ep. Agrie. Bombay Presidency, Dhulia Agric. Sin.
Annual Rep., . 912 : 19-23.
Main, T. F. (1913- 14).
Drp. ACric. Bombay Presidency, Nadiad A,lIrie. Sill.
AnTlual R ep., 1913-14.
Main, T . F. (19 14.-15). D cll. Agrie. Bombay Presidency, Nadiad Agric.
Sin. Annual Rrp., 19 14-I 5.
Mehta, K. C. (1933) . Ru~ts
of wheat
and barley in India. Indian
J. agric. Sci., 3: 939-62.
Mitra, A. (1938). The origin of wheat and a few other cultivated plants.
Sci. & Cultllre, 3: ,..643-47.

Mitra, M. and Taslim, 1. (1936). The control of loose smut of wheat in

North Bibar by the solar energy and sun-heated water methods. Agrie.
Live. Sik. India, 6 (p art I)

14
Pal, B. P. (1934). Recent progress in plant breeding at Pwa. Agric. LiveStk. India, 4: 505-15'
'Pal, 1:J. P. (1935 a). Wheat rusts from the view point of plantbreeding.
ACric . Live-Stk. India, 5: 139-43.
Pal, B. P. (1935 b). Hybtid vigour in wheat (A summary). Indian J. agric.
Sci., 5: G93-704'
.
Pal, B. P. ( 1936). Effects of brown rust attack on wheat.
Indian
g.
agric. Sci., 6: I !.!7-28.
Pal, 1.1. P. ( 1937). Imperial Agric. Res. II~ft. New Delhi, Second Eeonomc Botanist,
Annual Rep., ]935-36 : 78-80.
Pal. B. P. (1938 a). Milling and baking qualities of two new Pusa wheats.
Indian J . agrie. Sci., 8: .153-60.
Pal, B. P. ( 1938 b). Imperial Agric. Res. Inst. New Delhi, Imptrial Economic
Botanist, Annual Rej)., 1936-37 : 11 2-1 28 .
. Pal, B. P. (1940). Imperial Coullcil of agrie. Res. PrOf. 3rd. muting crops and soils
willg of Ihe board lif agric. alld Ilnimal husbandry, India, 1940 : 125-31.
Pal, B. P. and Alam, M. (1938). The effect of certain extcrnal factors upon
the manifestation of hybrid vigour in wheat. Proc. Indiall Acad. Sci. ?, 7
(8 ) : 109-24.
Pal, B. P. and Alam, M. ( 1939). The cffect of certain external factors upon
the manifestation of hybddvigour in whea t.
Proe. 25th Indian SCI.
Conl?ress (Agrie. ) : 212.
Pal, D. P. and Mundkur, B. B. (1939). Studies in Indian cereal smuts and
their control by the development of resistant varieties. Proe.
Indian
Acad. Sci., 9 (8 ): 267-70.
Pal, B. P . and others (1941 ).
The desr.ription of r.rop plant characters and
their ranges of variation,
III.
The variability of Indian wheaL'.
lruiian J. agrie. Sci., II: 477-92.
Pathak, G . N. (1942). A preliminary study of the cytology of interspecific
hybrids in Triticum, and an intergeneric hybrid, T. vulgare X Aegilops
caudata. Indian J. Gellet. PI. Bre~d., 2 : 37-42.
Percival, J. (1921). The wheat plant. Duckworth, London, 19U.
Ranjan, S. (1940). A preliminary note on the X-ray mutants of Pussa (511)
wheat. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci., 12 (D): 62-66.
Sen, B. ( 1940). Vernalization. Indian Fm[: ., 1. 5559.
Shaw, F. J. F. (1931). Milling and baking tes ts with some Indian wheats
grown at Pwa and at Mirpurkha~ (. ind) . Indian J. agric. Sci., J : 395-414.
Shaw, F. J. F. (1935). Wheat and badey in Ind ia. Proe. UNJrld's Graill Exhibition arui Conference, Regina, Ganada, (1933), 2 : 55-60.
Shaw, F.J. F. and Pal, B. P. (1936). Pusa 120, a wbeat highly resistant to yellow
rust. Agric. Live-Slk. India, 6: 202-3.
Shrivastava, K. P. (1937). Dep. Agrie. Central Provinces, Annual Rep., Seeon
EcollOmic Botanist, 1937.
Shrivastava, K. P . (1938). Dep. Agrie. Central Provinces, Annual Rep., Second
Economic Botmlist, 1938.
Singh, R. D. (1935). Wheat in the Punjab. Prot. World's Grain Exhibition
and Conference, Regina, Canada, (1933), 2 : 22-28.

15
BmLlOGRAPHY B.
Bengal (1896-97). Note on the races of wheat cultivated in Bengal.
Bengal (1907-8). Wheat.
Bengal (1913-14). Bengali translation of Howard's paper on the improvement
"of yield anu quality of wheat in India."
Silld (1933-34). Improved varieties (If wheat for Sind.
Sind (1933-34)' The advantages of the cultivation of Pusa 114 wheat in Sind.
Sind (1936-37,1937-38). The advantages of the cultivation of Pusa 114 wheat
in Sind-revised editions .
.Sind (1936-37 ). Improved varieties of wheat for Sind.
United ProvillCes. Expr:riments on the growth of wheat and maize at the
Cawnpore Farm: by Leather.
Bihar (1929) ' Wheat- South East Bihar Range.
Bombay (191l:l) . Increasing the production of irrigated wheat and Jowar.
Bombay (1931 ). Bansi wheat of the Bombay-Deccan and its improvements.
Bombay (1935)' pusa wheat.

16

BARLEY.
Hordeum Linn. Gramineae.
Barley is a staple crop in Northern India, where it is grown
in soils that ar poor or arid for wheatgrowing. The United
Provinces produce the greater portion of the crop and with the
neighbouring provinces of the Punjab and Bihar, constitute the
barley belt of . India. The total acreage comes to over six
millions. Generally only the 6-rowed types are grown, these
being preferr d because of their higher yielding capacity.
Classifi cation. Bose (1931) studied a collection of Indian.
barleys and isolated 24 pure lines: fiv of these w r 2-rowed
barleys, belonging to Hordeum distich01Z L. and the remaining
nineteen were 6-rowed, belonging to H. vulgare L.
Breeding . Barley breeding has been chiefly carried out
at the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa (now at
New Delhi), in the United Provinces and in the Punjab . At
the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute its breeding has
been mainly concerned with the improvement of yield , standing power and disease resistance.
Two outstanding strains
have been produced viz., Pusa 13 and r usa 21 (Pal, 1934) . The
former is an early maturing 6-rowed barley with high tillering
and yielding capacity, a medium-sizen deme ear and fairly
plump grains of a light yellow colour. It also possesses resistance to both drought and smut and is well-suited to NorthWestern India. At New Delhi it has givcn remarkably high
yield of 57 maunds per acre. Pusa 21 has given very high yields
all over Northern India, but is somewhat susceptible to covered
smut. It has been used extensively in hybridization work
b cause of its remarkable yielding capacity and well-standing
straw.
In the United Provinces the improved strain C. 251 is
a standard variety (A fw'!ymous, 1939; Singh, 1936) , whilt: in the
Punjab Type 4 and Type 5 have been successful (Anorrymou.f,
1931 ) .
Genetics . The inheritance of branched ears in a cross
between Chevalier and Pusa 21 barleys was studied by Bose (1935)
and was found to depend on the interaction of duplicate factors,
the branched ear phenotype being the d ubI recessive. Neither
the parents nor the F 1 showed th branched character which
appeared in F 2 in the ratio of 15 norma l: 1 bran hed car. In
another cross, between Pusa 21 (strong-strawed) and Pusa I
(weak-strawed), Bose, Aziz and Bhatnagar (1937) studied the
inh ritanee of certain anatomical characters and their r Jation
to lodging.
In regard to the development and disposition of
the sc1er nchyma, four phenotypes could be distinguished in
F 2 as shown below.

Phenotype.

17

Constitution.

Like Pusa Type

AABB

Intermediatc-A

AAbb

Intcrmcdiate-B

aaBB

Like Pusa Type 21

aabb

Development and dIsposition of the sclerenchyma.

Poorly developed and
v ry lose to the periphery of the stem.
Well devel oped, and
generally clos to the
p eriphery.
'VeIl developed , mostly away from the periphery and connected
with it at places by
irregularly placed subepidermal "girders."
Very well developed,
away from the periphery and connected
with it by well.developed
sub-epidermal
"gird rs".

A ratio of 9 AB : 3Ab : 3aB : I ab was obtained in F 2 showing that the degree of development and distribution of the
sclerenchyma is controlled by two indt>pend ent factors . The
same authors also found that the following three characters are
inherited On a simple monohybrid basis.
1. Fertility of the lateral florets.
2. D :vclopment of awns on the inner glumes of lateral
florets.
3. Nature of the outer glume (broad or narrow).
Linkage was found between fertility of the lateral fl orets and
the nature of the outer glume and between the latter and the
development of awns on the inn r glumes of the lateral florets,
the cross-over value in both the cases 1 eing 24.70 percent.
Pal (1934) mentions that the inheritance of fertility of the
lateral florets-an important criterion in barley classificationhas been found to depend on a single factor difference in one
cross and on more than one factor in other cross s. In a cross
between a hooded and an awned variety, the hooded condition
was dominant and th proportion of hooded plants to awned

18

plants in F 2 was in the ratio of 3 : l, but the occurrence of varying

grades of hooded ness indicated that more than one factor was
involved. Hulled seed was found to be dominant to naked one
in both varietal and interspecific crosses. Two factors control
the production of purple colour in the glume and one factor, the
inheritance of colour in the pericarp and in the aleurone.
Other relevant references on barleys are given under bihliography.
Improved Strains of Barley.
PUNJAB
All th approvcd types arc six-rowed.
Type 4. Ears long and lax; kcrnels rather long but plump, being tIle heaviest
of all Punjab types; a leu rone layer amber but thl:' hu sk is generally yc:ll owish; earl y habit of growth crect, vcry early in maturity; Straw weak, susceptible to lodging. Suitable for soi ls of ordinary or low f rtilit),. Very
goorl foJ' malting and brewing.
Type 5. Ears short and compact; kerncls plump, roundish. iTIC'rliumly heavy;
a leul'One layer blue, but husk whitish; early habit of ~rowth .cmi-prostrate; late in maturity, carillg about 3 weeks later than i Y/lt 4; stra w thick,
stiff, resistant to lod ging and to hails. Suilahlc for rich soils. Fairly good
for malting and brewing. Much more li ab l ~ to covered Sllwt than T.Y/lt 4.

UNITED PROVINCES.
Cawnpote 251 or (C 25 1). It matun:s quickly and is high yielding. In brewing
tests it is as good as the Cali}'umiOlI barleys.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Anonymous. (1891-92) Operations of the D ep. of Land Records and Agric.
Madras Presidency,

ISgI-92 :

9.

Aoo'V'mous. (1931). Report operalions Dep. Agric., Punjab, for the year ending
30th June 1930-31: 19

Anonymous. (1939). United Provlllces report on the administration of the Dep.

Agric. for the year ending 30th June, 1938 -39 : 54-55.

Anonymous. (1940). Report Imperia L. onorrue Botanist for the year ending
June 30th, 1939-40 : 75
Bose, R. D. (1931). Studies in Indian Barleys, 1. Classifica tioll of types isolated at l'usa. Indian J. agrie. Sci., I: 58-89.
Bose, R. D. (1935). Studies in Indian Barleys. III. Branched ears ill barley and
their mode of inheritance. indian J . aerie. Sci., 5: 155-164'
Bose, R . D. Aziz, M.A. and Bhatnagar, M. P. (1935)' Inh eritance of some
characters in the barley car-head. Proc. 22 illdia" Sci. COTlgr., 369.
Bose, R. D. Aziz, M.A. and Bhatnagar M. P. (1937)' Studies in Indian Barleys,
IV. The inheritance of some anatomical characters in an interspecific
cross between two Pusa ba rleys. Indian J. agric. Sci., 7: 48-88.
BOle, R . D. Bhatnagar, M. P . and Aziz, M.A. (1935)' Inheritance of some
anatomical characters responsible for lodging ill barley. Prot. 22 Indian
Sci. COTler., 368-69.

19

Bose, R. D . and Dixit, P . D. ( 1931 ). Studies in Indian Barleys II. The root
system. Indian J. aCric. Sci., I: 90-108.
Mehta, K. J. ( 1930). Studies on the annual recurrence of powdery mildews on
wheat and barley in India. Agrie. ]. India, 25 (Part IV) .
Mitra, M. and Bose, R. D . (1935) ' Varietal resistance in Pusa barleys to
Helminthosporium sativum P. K . and B. and H. Teres saee. Proc. !;I~ Indian
Sci. Congr. (Agrie. ) : 372-73.
Pal, B. P . (1934) . Recent progress in plant breeding at Pusa. Agrie. Live-stk.
India, 4: 505-15.
Singh, R. D. (1927) . Annual report of the cerealist to Governmt:nt, Punjab,
Lyallpur, 1926. Rep. Dep. Agrie., Punjab, I (part II) : 1-10.
Singh, R. P. ( 19;16) . Notes on barley in the United Province5. Agrie. Dept.
United Provinces, U. P. Govt. Press, 1936.
Youngman, W . (192 1). The influence of atmospheric condition upon the
germination of Indian Barley. Mem. Deft. Agrie. India (Bot. Ser.) 1
(No.6).

20

OATS
Avena Linn. A. sterilis Linn. Gramineae.

Oats are known in India by various names: "Jai" (Hindi),

HJavi" (Punjabi) and "Vava" (Sind).
Bose (1929 a) states that t.he oats, commonly grown in India,
belong to Avena sterilis L. var. culta (=A . byzallli1W Koch .)
and not to A. sativa L., stated by previous authors who have
referred to the Indian oats. Shaw and Bose (1933 a) mention two
high-yielding and drought-r~sistant strains, B.S. 1. and B.S. 2
(now known as 1. P. 1. and 1. P. 2) selected from the mixed
They are reported to be earlyvarieties growing in Bihar.
maturing and fairly disease-resistant. American and European
varities have not done well in India because of their lateness in
maturity. Some of them, however, show very good vegetative
growth and may be useful for fodder purposes.
Improved strains under cultivation in the Punjab and Bihar
have been recorded on page 21.
Hybridization between foreign and indigenous varieties
has been attempted and a number of promising hybrids established at the Imperial Agricultural R search Institute, New
Delhi. Bose and Mundkur (in press) tested sixty varieties
for resistance to covered smut (Ustilago Kolleri). Their results
show that while some of the foreign varieties are immune, none of
the Indian varieties is resistant. A few of the hybrids betw en
Indian and exotic varietic:s, however, showed high resistance.
The inheritance of some characters in interspecific crosses
between A. sativa L. and A . sterilis L. was studied by
Shaw and Bose (1933 b). They observed that success in crossing
was achieved only when the sativa varieties were used as the
female parent. Single factor differences wer found in respect of
the following pairs of characters.
1. Sativa and sterilis types of base (of the lower grain).
2. Strong and weak awns.
3. Long and short hairs (at the base of the grain).
Two factors were found to control the inheritance of basal
hairs and of hairs on the margins of leaves. Shaw and Bose

( 21

(1933 b) also mention that the height of plant, number of days

for heading and number of spikelets per panicle are controlled
by multiple factors.
Bose (1929 b) described certain abnormalities in the flowers
and glumes.
IMPROVED STRAINS OF OATS
PUNJAB.
Lyallpur No. I-A selection from local aats. It is the earliest maturing type
with medium broad leaves and straw. Leaf margins are sparsely hairy
upto 1/2 their length.
In trials it has invariably given the highest outturns of grain and yieldJ
as high as 50 maunds per acre have been obtained. Being quick growing
and cady maturing the yield of gre n fodder is not as high as in some
other strains.
Weston II-An early ma turing and tall growing selection from foreign oats with
very broad dark green leaves, having at bluish tinge and a thick stem.
It has yield ed marc than 400 maunds green fodder per acre in all tests.
LNf margins hairless nnd sccd has a smoky tinge.
Bnmker I o - Another early rnaturing selection with medium thick stem. Leaves
arc finc and medium broad with hair on their margins. Yields of more
than 400 maunds per acre can be obtained, (green fodder).
Fo. S. 1/29.- A late strain from the local oats. It has very fine and [\arrow
leaves with hairs on their margins upto 11. of length. The panicle is
smaller than other varieties, but attains a very good height. In trials
it has given very high yields of green fodder.
Admirably suited for the baralli conditions, prevailing in North Punjab,
where it has out yielded other strains.
Algeriall oat-It is just like Fo. S. 1/29 oat in vegetative characters, but matures
a week to ten days later. It has also proved to be very high yielding both
for fodder and seed.

French oat-It has coarse, dark green, broad leaves with a bluish tinge. It is
the latest ripening type in that province. It gives high yields of green
fodder but very low outturos of seed. It suits irrigated parts of the
province only.
BIHAR
B. S. f.-It is a heavy yielding strain.

BIBUOGRAPHY A.
Bose. R. D. ( 1929 a). The Indian oat and the error in its identification.
Aerie. J. ltldiall, II.: 169-74'
Bose, R. D. (19'29 b). Some freaks in oat spikelets. Agric. J. Indian, lZ4:
34 1 -42
Bose, R. D. and Mundkur, B. S. Varietal resistance of Indian and other
oats to smuts. (III press).
Shaw, F. J.F. and Bose, R .D. (1933 a). Studies in Indian oats, I. The improvement of the crop by selection and the acclimatization of exotic types.
Indian J. agrie. Sci., 3: 754-7 0

22

Shaw, F . J. F. and Bose. R . D . (1933 b) . Studies in Indian oats, II. Inheritance of some characters in interspecific croSseS between Avena
sativa L. and Avena sterilis L. var. tulta. ltuiian J . agric . Sci., 3: 771-807.
BIBLIOGRAPHY B .
Bengal (1907-8). Oats.
Sind (1932-33). The cultivation of oats as a green fodder in the robi season.

23

MAIZE

Zea Linn. Z. Ma.ys Linn. Gramineac.

Maizc is cultivated practically all ovcr the country, on a
small scale, as a food and also as a fod :ier crop. It is known by
various names, "Makai", "Maka". or "Gomdhan".
Work on the improvement of this crop has been in progress
in different provinces. In Madras sel ction, hybridization and
acclimatization work has been carri~d out at the Agricultural
Research Station, Guntur, where crosses raised for the comparative yield trials with their parents wcre not found to be better
yielders (A flOnymous, 1940) .
At Dharwar about 30 good
promising strains have been isolated (Kulkarny, 1939).
In Bombay selections were carried out at the Dohad Agricultural
Station and various types of red, yellow, white and mottled
grains etc., have been observed (Main, 1912-13) . Some
American varieties were also tried at the same station, but they
did not thrive well, being late and poorly ftlled.
In the
Punjab also some selection work on this crop has been carried
out and about 90 percent cross-pollination has been noticed
(Anonymous, 1937) . To avoid this crossing a 15 feet wide border
of elephant grass round and between the field has been suggested
(Anonymous 193Gb). '
Improved strains of maize under distribution in different
Provinces have been recorded on page 24.
Breeding work has been carried out at the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Th following facts have
been recorded :---The seedling counts as to the segregation of V21 indicated
a close linkage between Y and V21. The F II generations of the
crosses of gl()ssy 94 X glossy 9 A and glossy 94 X glossy 326 were
studied. Each segregated into 9 normal: 7 glossy ratio,
indicating that glossy 94 is not allelomorphic to either of the
other two glossies (Anonymous, 1938) . Two mutant types, one
liguleless and the other with salmon-coloured silks, have been
recorded (Ano'!)lmous, 1936 a). Seven different colours have been
observed in the endosperm vi<::., orange, light orange, yellow,

24 )
lemon, dirty white, pearly and chalky white. The aleurone
colours are r ed, purple and deep purple (A nonymous, 1936 a)
Other references on maize are: Smith (1909, 1912), Macken .
zie (1912) and those included under Bibliography B.
IMPROVED STRAINS OF MAIZE
U nED PHOVINCES
No. 13. Set:d yield 22 to go Mcls., pcr acre; seed white, medium; maturity
80 to go days.
No . 19. Seed yield 25 to 30 Mds., pcr acrc; seed wbit<, i)old ; maturity 90 to
100 days.
No. 41. Secd yield 25 to 40 Mds. prJ' acre; ~eed light ycllo,,", bold; maturity
90 to 100 days.
BIHAR
Jaunpur. Large grain, prolific growing and IJeavy yidder.
T inpakhia. Early ripen im:, a good h ut wrather "ariel),; s('eds :'.!'rli c:h t yellow
in colou I' and IIItt! i u III In size.
KalimpolI.f!. Heavy yield'r ; big gra in'd and late, yidd~ be;),'y crop uf fodder
as well.
ASSAM
Dl1rjecling. Whit,,-Rounu.
"
Flat.
Yellow-Round.
"
Flat and GoldeIl Grain (American mai 7(').

"

"

BIBLIOGRAPHY A.
Anonymolls. (1936 lI) . Sri. RtJ}. Imp. Agric. R,.1. 171SI., New Delhi, J936 : 54
Anol!)'mou.,. (1936 b). Rep. DfJI. Agric., I'lmjllb, 1936 : 3:1.
Anonymow' ( 1937 ). &/1. [Jep. A.~ri(., Pw!jab, 1937 : 36.
Allol!)'mouj ( 19:-j!J ). Sri. ReJI. Imp. Agric. N.e... 111..-1., Nrw nfl/Ii, 1938 : 67.
AIl0'!Ymous (1940 )' ReJ}. Agrie . .rla/ion..-, ,Madras Presidmcy, 1938-39 : 142-43.
(A/adICls Govt. Press, 1940) .
KulkBrny, K. S. ( 1939) ' Allllual Rep. Dep. Agric., BombllY, %938-39 :19.
Mackenzie, M. H. ( 1912) . Maize cuilivation. Q_ua,.. J. Dep. Agric., BmgaE,5:
13 2 -34'
Main, T. F. (1912-13) Anllual Rtpurt, Dolrad Agrie. Station. Dep. Agric., BombllY,
J9 12- 1 3: 3-4
Smith, F. (1909 ) . Maize. QuaI'. J. Dep. Agric., BtTlgal, II : 158-dio.
Smith, F. (19 12). Maize BtKalimpollg. Quar. J. Dep. Agric.,Bengal, 5: 177-178.
BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
Bengal (1908-9). Maize.
United Provinces (1936). Cultivation of broom corn.
United Provinces (1936). The cultiva ti on of maize at the Cawllpore Experimental Station: by Subbiah.
United Provillces (1936). The cultivation of maize: by T. S. Sabnis, M.G.
Pathak and C. Maya Das.
'United Provinces. Exp riments on the growth of wheat and maize at tlle Cawnore Farm: by Leather.
Unite Provillces. Maize.
B ihar (1928). Maize.
Bombay (1927). Maize and Tur in the Gokak Canal area.

UAS LIBRARY GKV~

111111111111111111111111111111

3605

25

RICE.
Oryza Linn. O. sativa Linn.
Grami12cae.
Rice occupi s about thirty-five percent. of the total cultivated
area in India and Burma. Jt is the most work d crop, investigations having been carried out at a number of research centres.
Major part of the genetical investigations on this crop has
been done at Coimbatore (Madras) where the work was first
started by Parnell and others and later on continued by Ramiah
and his co-workers exhaustiv ly.
Improvement of th crop has been carri d out chiefly by selection and hybridization. Recently, however, artificial production of mutation mainly by X-ray technique ha5 given strains
which arC' s3id to have proved of some economic value.
Botanical Classification. Botanically the plant has been
described by Bhalcrao (1926), Kadam, Patil and Patankar
(1936) ; Parthasarathy ( 192f1) and Tin (1936) .
The materia l cultivated in diff,rcnt localities has been classified by a number of workers. The following a1' the important
references on the subject. Characters, made use of, in the individual classification diff('r considerably. Hutchinson , Ramiah
and others ( 1938) have thoroughly dealt with the subject and
have described the extent of variability in rice plant which may
serve as a guide for future work.
References on the classi icati011 q[ rice in India.
Number
Origin of materia
References.
of typ S
used in the
described
classification.
Mitra and Ganguli
703
Surma
valley
( 1931,32 e. ); Mitra ( 1932)
(Assam) .
H ctor ( 1930); H co l
540
2
Bengal.
tor, Sharangapani, 0,.
Roy and hakravarty 1
3
4

5
6

J
( 1934)
Kashi Ram and Chetty
(1934)
Sethi and Saxena( 1931)
Kashi Ram and Ekbote
( 1936)
raham (19 13)
Thadani and Dutt
( 1928)

123

I Bihar and Orissa.

135
41

United Provinces.
I Punjab
and Western
,

35

United Provinces.
Central Provinces.
indo

26

Breeding. Bhide (1919) records a "double grained paddy"

vari ty of rice cultivated in Bengal. rn all outward appearance
it looks like an ordinary variety but in certain parts of the spikelet it contains two to five grains instead of a solitary on. It is
because every spikelet in the panicle contains two to five
ovaries at the flowering stage.

A summary of work on Surma Valley rices is given by Mitra

(1932). He describes, in short, the pure line selection and hybridization work carried out in that locality.
At Sabour in Bihar a large number of economic types suitable for various tracts of the Province has been selected. For areas
infested with wild rice, hybrids have been evolved having purple
vegetative colour with white medium grains and comparatively
high yi Ids.
At Nagina, in the United Provinces, promising varieties for
the paddy growing localities of that provinc have been isolated.
Breeding work on rice in the Central Provinces has been done
by Mahta and Dave (1931). They have isolated a number
of varieties which ar proving superim to the existing local
varieties. Hybridization wClrk has also been attempt d with the
object to evolve a heavy yielding strain which might be distinguished from th wild rices. In recent years Dave (Atlcnymous,
1936-37) achieved some success in this direction and desirable
hybrids with purple body have been obtained by crossing the
improved strains with purple variety Nagkesar. Ratio of 3 green
leaved plant: I purple leaved plant was observed but in one case
the ratio 13 : 3 was noticed (Anonymous, 1936-37) . It is expected
that the introduction of those hybrids will solve the wild rice
problem in the Central Provinces.
Work carri d out in Madras upto 1937 has been summaris d
by Ramiah ( 1937 b). Several promising varieties have been
evolved.
Kadam ( 1937) from Bombay records a new strain of midlat Kolamba Rice (K.540) which possesses fine grains with high
yield.

27

Improved strains of paddy under cultivation in different parh

of India have been recorded at the end of this chapt('r.
Cytology. Rau (1929) observed the somatic chromosome
num ber to be 24 (Oryza sativa. Linn.). The set was classified into
large (5), intermediate (4) and small (3). In Oryza coarctata
the chromosome number has been recorded to be 2n=44 tAnon)mous, 1936-37).
Sethi (1937) studied some paddy varieties with respect to
their chromosome numbers, morphology of chromosomes and
th ir b haviour at meiosis. The chromosome numbers, n = 12
and 2n=24, have been observed in all the varieties, representing
great diversity of forms. Oryza sativa, according to this author,
is a secondary poly-ploid and has originated by natural crossing
betwecn spccies in th~ sub-families, closely relat d to Ory:.eae,
possessing 5 and 7 chromosome numbers. The sets have been
analysed morphologically and differences have been noticed
in differ nt vari tics. Meiotic irregularity and sterility have
b en correlated.
Chromosome numbers in the different species of Oryza, as
observed by different workers, are shown below.
O. sativa, 2n = 24 (Rau, 1929 and Sethi, 1937) .
O. echli,lgeri, 2n=48 (Anonymous, 1940).
O. meycriana (0. granulata), 2n=24 (Anonymous, 1940).
O. coaretala, 2n=44 (Anonymous, 1936-37).
Crossing technique.
For conducting hybridization work successfully in the rice
plant, useful information is available.
Technique of artificial hybridization as practised at Coirobatore is described by Sharangapani (1924 a, b) and Ramiah
(1927). Bhidc (1925 a, b, c) describes crossing technique by which
a high perccntage of success (50 to 60%) in intervarietal crosses
can b obtained.
At Sabour (Bihar) the following observations wer made.
Investigations at this Research centre were directetl by late Mr.
Alam, the then Rice specialist.
(1) Enclosing paddy ears in black paper bags can induce

28

spikelets to open with unburst anthers which facilitate emasculation and crossing (AtlOtrymous , 1933-34).
(2) Both timely and periodically fixed paddy plants can be
made to flower earlier or later than their normal time of flowering,
by subjecting them to short or long day treatm ents. It may
thus be possible to effect crossing between varieties widely differing in their flowering dates (Saran, 1943) .
(3) Dormancy period of paddy seeds can bc successfully broken by treating the seeds with acetone or chloroform vapours
(Saran, 1943).
(4) The: normal period of viability of paddy seeds can be successfully extended if they are stored air-tight after thorough drying (Saran, 1!H3) .

Genetics.
Root colour. Kadam ( 1935) st udi ed the inheritancc of root
colour in rice. A Burmese variety No . 355 which develops brio
ght crimson colour on root when exposed to sunlight, was crossed
with a dwarf variety (Ratanghose No. 257) with colour!cs root .
F 1 colour was not recorded. J n F2 di-hybrid ratio, 9 coloured:
7 colourless, was obtained. Results w re confirm cd [rom Fa.
The character is governed by two complementary genes, A and
Ro, the former being the principal gene without wh ich no colour
can appear in allY part of the plant and th e lattcr, the specific
gene producing colour on root in the absence of A.

Height. Inheritance of height in rice plants studied by R amiah

(1933 a) was observed to be controlled by several factors.
Habit. lnh ritanee of spreading and compact habit in rice
was studied by Ramiah ( 1934, who observed dominance of spreading and the segregation into 3: 1 ratio. The inheritance of lodging of straw in rice was worked out by Rarniah and Dharmalingam (1934) who observed a single factor di1ference, lodging
being dominant.
Leaf. Kadam (1933) made crosses between purple and green
types and the F I was green leaved with red sheath. F2 segregated in the ratio of 13 green: 3 purple leaved plants. Mitra and

29

Ganguli (1932 a) record the factor C , determining the colour

of leaf-sheath .

Li,ling of internodes. Purple lining of internode: unpigmented

lining of internode segregates into 3 : I ratio (Parnell, Ayyangar and Ramiah, 191 7) .
Axil. Purple axil : unpigmented axil segregated into 3 : I
ratio (Parnell, Ayyangar and Ramiah , 1917).
Ramiah, Jobithraj and Mudaliar ( E131 ) record two main
pigment complementary factors responsihle for the development of pigment at the leaf axi l and palca tip.

Ligule colour. The ligule colour has been shown to depend on

three interacting factors , all necessary for the production of
colour (A rwnymous, 1920-21 , also see grain c~aracll'r inheritance) .
Chlorophyll variatiolls. The occurrence of weak seedlings, deficient in chlorophyll contents, in rice crosses, has been observed to be very common which behaves as a mendelian ree ssive
and 3:1 and 15:1 ratios (green to whitf') have been obtained
(Ramiah, 1930, 1931 a) which were explained by assuming that the
yellow condition was due to th combination of two recessive
facors c 1 C a each of which can produce identical results, the constitution of normal green, being C 1 C z, C 1 C 2 or c 1 C 2 .
The appearance of albino and white-s triped chara ters has
also been reported by Mitra and Gangu1i (1932 c.). They record
that lh f' glcen and whit -striped characters are controlled
by one pair of factors. Regarding alIJino, no definite conclusions
could be drawn.
Mitra and Ganguli (1934) observed albino seedlings, appearing in variable percentages, ranging from 0.26 to 20. No definite
ratio was noticed. The crossses, however, showed a larger percentage of such individuals than the pure strains. According to
these authors they are supposed to be natural mutations, the genetical constitution being ggww. While studying the inheritance
of striped character the authors conclude the following genetical
<:onstitutions.

( 30
Pure green:
White-striped mutant:

GGww
ggWW

(homozygous)

or
or

GG WW
ggWw

(heterozygous,
throwing albino)

Albino:
ggww
Since albino does not survive, the population, in due course,
may be obtained completely free from this type.
Some more information on chlorophyll deficiencies can be obtained from a pa per published by Ramiah and Ramanuj am ( 1935).
Kadam (1941) dealt with five kinds of lethal chlorophyll
types and their mode of inheritance. Interaction of genes, causing
six types of virescents, has been reported. This established six
distinct genes, of which two arc supposed to be alleles.
Colour in different parts. Hector (1916) drew the following
conclusions from his studies on the inheritance of anthocyan
pigment :(1) The colours in the leaf-sheaths, glume apex and stigma
of certain paddy varieties appear generally to be due to the interaction of serveral factors.
(2) In certain cases the colour in the stigma is of a higher
order than the colour in the leaf-sheath and glume apex and is
due to the presence of an extra factor, not present in the leafsheath and glume apex.
(3) Where the colour has been found to be due to the interaction of more than one factor, the simultaneous presence of all
colour facors appears necessary for the production of colour.
Parnell (1922) showed that factors A and N are necessary for
the production of pigment in the rice plant and the presence of
A is necessary to produce "red rice" or "purple rice". In the
absence of A, the red rice factor R produces "grey brown" rice
and the purple rice factor P produces "brown rice". Ramiah,
J obithraj and Mudaliar (J931) confirmed that the pigmentation factor A and the purple rice factor P are both necessary
for the production of purple rice, and in the absence of A, factor
P produces brown rice.
Mitra, Gupta and Ganguli (1928 G, b) showed coloured

31

factors to be dominant over non-coloured ones. Exceptions are

also recorded by the authors.
Parnell, Ayyangar and Ramiah (1917) record that the colour of leaf sheath and li,lgule are determined by a single pair of
factors. This was confirmed by Mitra and Ganguli (1932 a) who
also observed the inheritance of colour of leaf-sheath, pulvinus,
ligule, margin of leaf, internode, apiculus, and stigma to be controlled
by a single pair of factors.
Flowering and maturity. Lateness was found to be dominant
to earliness, the ratio of late to early being 3.27: 1 in F I (A nonymous, 1926-27). Inheritance offiowering duration in rice has been
studied by Bhide (1925 a, b, c) who observed 2.8 :1 ratio (lates:
earlies). He also found evidence for multiple mendelian factors
(if. Ramiah, 1933).
Association between flowering duration, plant height and a
fcw other characters has been shown by Ramiah (1933 b). He
showed that the inheritance of flowering duration and plant
h eight is controlled by a simple segregation into 3: 1 (short early:
tall late) . The reverse ratio was obtained in the other set of crosses,
results being explained on the multiple-factor hypothesis as well
as on inhibitory-factor hypothesis (Ramiah, 1933 c). The presence
of short late and tall early in F2 in certain crosses has been shown
to be due to fluctuations and not due to any real genetic differenee.
Asynapsis. Reddi (1938-39) observed asynapsis to be a mendelian character, controlled by duplicate genes.
Polyemb7)0l1J. Two and three seedlings from single seeds
have been recorded by Ramiah, Parthasarathy and Ramanujam
(1935) . Some twins w re genetically identical and others
lethal albino. Genetically different individuals were also ob~
served and in these circumstances a haploid was found in association with a diploid and a green seedling with an albino. The
a~thors suggest that its origin may be due to the development of
more than one embryo-sac. It is consid red a hereditary chao
racter. Banerj e (1935) also records polyembryonic grain in
paddy. At Sabour cultures have been isolated which exhibit.

32

majority of their grains as polyembryonic (Richharia, 1943).

Panicle. Mitra and Ganguli (1932) observed the com pIe.
mentary factors El e J E 2 e z (9:7) for spreading habit of panicle.
Characters such as the Jength of panicle and the emergence of
the panicle (portion of the panicle stalk between its bottom-most
node and the Jeaf junction of the top-most leaf) are controlled by
multiple factors (Ramiah, Johithraj and Mudaliar, 1931 ).
Ramiah , .J obithraj and Mudaliar ( 1931 ) studi.ed th(' inheritance of lax and dense condition uf the panicle. F 1 showed dominance of lax character with a little suggestion of denscMss. In
F 3' 3: I ratio was observed. Bhide ( 1925 a, b, c) found sparseness of grain arrangement to he dominant to compactness and
observed that compactness is associated with short grains. The
inheritance of clustering and non-clustering character was also
studied by Ramiah, Jobithraj and Mudaliar ( 1931 ) and was
shown to behave as a simple pair of mendelian allelomorphs,
F 1 being rather intermediate.
Hybridization between an ordinary variety and a "cluster"
variety, grown in the Central Provinces, was carried out by
Bhide (1919). The latter possesses tertiary branches of the panicle
which are shortened, giving the appearance of lusters, carried
at different points on the secondary axis. F] showed small clusters
near the tips of the secondary branches only. In later generation four types uiz, clusters, ordinaries, small clusters at tips and
intermediates, werc observed. No definite st'gregation was
recorded.
Palea tip. Ramiah, Jobithraj and Mudaliar (1931) record
two main pigment complementary factors, responsible for the
development of pigment at the leaf axil and palea tip.
Pistil. Multiple pistil condition in rice was shown by Parthasa1'athy (1931) to be a simple recessive. He also studied its
relation with the following inherited characters;1. L ngth of sterile gl urnes.
'2. Arrangement of spokelets.
3. Nature of endosperm.
4. Pericarp colour.

33

5. Anthocyanin pigmentation of glumes and

6. Grain size.
7. Sterility.

stigma~

The multiple pistil character is independent of the first five,

while it showed Some association with grain size and sterility.
The extent of association-ship was not determined. Purple
stigma ; unpigmented stigma segregates into 3; 1 ratio (Parnell,
Ayyangar and Ramiah, 1917).
Auricle. According to Mitra and Ganguli (1932 a) colour
of auricle is determined by complementary factors Al a J A% as
(15: 1), whereas according to Parnell, Ayyangar and Ramiah
(1917) by single factor pair.
Grain shattering. Kadam (1936) observed grain shedding of
the wild rice to be dominant to non-shedding and controlled by
two genes Sh1 and Sh2 Ramiah and Rao (1936 a, b), on the
other hand, record non-shedding to be dominant and due to
more than one gene.
Grain clw.racters. The inheritance of round short grains and
coarse long grains was analysed by Ramiah, Jobithraj and
Mudaliar (1931) who found the former to be a simple dominant
to the latter. Ramiah and Parthasarathi ( 1933) observed grain
length to be controlled by three factors. The characters 'even
colouring' and 'mottling' over grain behave as a simple pair of
mendel ian allelomorphs. The F 1 showed mottling to be a partially dominant character (Ramiah, Jobithraj and Mudaliar, 1931)!
Results reported from Madras and Burma indicate that Fl
between a hard translucent grain and a soft opaque grain showed
intermediate character and gave 1; 2: 1 ratio in F. (.A.rwn.JmoUJ.
1936-37).
Hector (1913, 22) observed the red grained and white grained
character to be inherited in the simple ratio of 3: 1. Mckerral
(1913) and Thompstone (1915) also record similar results, redness being dominant. Parnell, Ayyangar and Ramiah (1917)
observed red rice and light coloured rice being inherited in 3: I
ratio. An exception has also been recorde~
It has also been shown that the grain colour depends on the

34

third ligule factor. When this factor is present, the grain is coloured, when absent, the grain is white. (Anonymous, 1920.21, also
see ligule colour inheritance).
Glum~. Parnell, Ayyangar and Ramiah ( 1917) observed
purple and unpigmented glumes to be inherited in 3: I ratio,
whereas R eddi (1938-39) record the purple colour to be due
to the interaction of the two complementary factors.
Inheritance of the size of outer glumes was first studied by
Parnell and others ( 1919) who showed that it behaved as a simple
mendelian recessive. According to Ramiah, Jobithraj and
Mudaliar (1931) it is probable that there are a number of different genetic factors involved to control the development of the
outer glumes in different vari ties of rices.
H ector ( 1922) studied the inheritance of the colour of mature
inner glumes (i. e. , the husk) which has been found to be inherited by definite mendel ian ratio.
Mitra and Ganguli ( 1937) observed complementary factors
G 1 gl G 2 g. (15 : 1) to be responsible for both the colour of outer
glume and inner glume and that complementary factors HI hl
H2 h2 (9 : 7) were responsible for the colour of inner ones.
Parnell, Ayyangar and Ramiah ( 1917) observed the following
inheritance.
Character.
Ratio.
Short-glumed : Long-glumed
3
1
Green inner glime: Golden inner glume
3
1
{keen
Dark furrows of inner glume
3
1
Piebald
Self colour of inner glume
3
1
. Parnell, Ayyangar, Ramiah and Ayyangar (1922) also record the results of their inve ltigations on the inheritance of
glumes and the internode as fo'lows: Four factors have been
identified with certainty and one more E is put down provisionally. Adopting the "pr sence and absence" notation, their
description is as follows: G produces dark gold.
I modifies all golden colouring to a corresponding degree
of dark furrows and inhibits golden colouring of the internode.

( 35 )
P produces a piebald pattern on dark gold or dark furrows.
T gives tipped gold from dark gold, repening straw from
ripening gold, and granular dark furrow of degrees.
E regarded provisionally as giving green-colouring by prevention of mottling.
For black straw colour of inner glumes two factors are inferred
(Parnell, Ayyangar and Ramiah, 1917).
In the course of a genetical investigation a plant with the
full purple and the green glumed spikelets which normally occur
in different plants was observed by Ramiah (1931c) and it was
considered to be a simple case of chimera. The author think.
that it is due to a factor mutation in a somatic cell and that the
mutation must have occurred late in ontogeny, that only the epidermal layer was affected. A factor mutation from G, responsible for the full pUl'ple glume, to g , was responsible for the green
glume.
Pericarp. Mitra and Ganguli (1932 d) studied the inheritance of colour of kernel (pericarp) in a cultivated and wild rice
-cross, wherein complementary factors P l PI P z PI have been
found to control the inheri tance in the ratio of 12: 3: 1.
Dark red, light red and while are allelomorphic to each other
and two light reds are complementary, giving 9:7 of dark red
to light red in F 2' It (pericarp colour) is not linked with ripening
black colour of the lemma and palea (A no'!Ymous, 1936-37).
Sterility. Sterility caused by a varying number of spikelcts
in the panicle remaining unset "nd interspaced with well-set
spikelets was studied by Ramiah (1931 a, d). The causes are
considered to be environmental as well as hereditary. The inheritance was found to be complicated and was not worked out
completely.
Bhide (1922) records sterility in this crop and attributes it to
be due to the following causes :
(1) A few stray spikelets become sterile due to chance, lack
of fertilization, probably caused by unfavourable
weather conditions.
(2) Sometimes the whole ear-head dries up which is caused

36

by the cutting of the food supply caused by a stem

borer (ScllOenobius bipunctifer).
(3) A "Straight head" disease which resembles very much the
sterility of ear-head mentioned above renders the plant
sterile.
There are various explanations put forward
to explain its occurrence. It may be a hereditary quality.
Hilson (1925) found partial linkage between failure to set
grain and the colour of the glumes.

Qualiry.-Certain types of rices are scented. The smell is

especially marked at the time of boiling the grains. This quality
is found to be a mendelian character being controlled by either
one or two factor pairs (Ramiah, 1937 a). The author also
records an association between scent and colour of rice.
Disease resistance.-The inheritance of disease resistance
(disease being due to Piricularia) in rice was observed to be simple
in one cross and more complicated in the other one (Ramiah and
Ramaswami, 1936).
Hutchinson and Ramiah et al (1938) have described the
range of variability in rice. They record a list of characters and
their mode of inheritance, reproduced below.
List of Char a cter s i,1 rice and their mode of inheritance.
c. f Hutchinson and Ramiah et al, (1938):
Characters.

- / F I segregation and ratios recorded

Presence: absence

Anthocyanin
pigment
Apiculus

Coloured :colourless

Awicle

Purple :red :colourless

Purple :red: pale.yellow.
Coloured :colourless

Awn colour

Green:purple
Coloured :colourless
Black:reddish brown

3 : 1; ~9:-:=7. - - - - 3:1; 9:7; 15:1;

27:37; 81 :175;
162:94.
9:3:4.
27:9:28.
3:1; 9:7; 15:1;
27:37.
15:1.
3:1;9:7.
3 :1.

(
Characters

Awn

Chlorophyll

Flowering

37

F 2 segregation and ratios recorded.

Brown: colourless
Purple: colourless
Purple:red
Purple :red :white
Red :colourless.
Red :brown :colourless
Red:white
Tawny:non-tawny
Awned:awnless
Fully awned :partly
awned.
Fully awned :partly
awned: awnless
Fully awned : mostly
awned : rarely awned:
awnless.
Partially awned: awnless
Green :albino.

3 :1.
3 :1.
3 :1.

9:3:4.
3: 1.

9 :3 :4.
9:7.
3 :1.
3: 1.
3:1.
9:6:1.

P:l :2:1.
~: 1.

3:1 ;9:7;15:1;
63:1.
3 :1.

Green :dull yellowish

green.
3: 1.
Green :lutescent
3:1; 15:1.
Green :variegated
(duplicate genes).
Green :variegated :albino
9:3:4.
3: 1.
Green :viresc nt
Green :virescent yellow:
9:3:4.
albino
Green :white striped.
3: 1.
Green:white striped:albino. 12:3:1.
Green :xantha
3 :1
Grecn :yellow
3: 1; 15: 1.
Green :yellow striped.
3: 1.
Early:late
3:1; 1 :2:1; 9:7;

15: 1.
Glume(Outer)
colour

Latc :early
Green :purple

3:1; 9:7.

Glume (Outer)
Size

Purple :colourless
Red :colourless
Tawny: non-tawny
Short:long

3:1; 9:7.
3:1 ;9:7.
3 :1.
3:1; 1:2:1; 15:1;

15:1~

Habit ______~~E
=re~c_
t_
:fl_o_a_
ti~n~g___________
15_:_1_. ___________

(
Characters

Inhibitor (see
under leaf-blade)
Internode
colour

Kernel end )sperm.

Leaf-blade
colour

Leaf-blade
twisting.
Leaf-margin
Leaf-sheath
colour

Lemma and
Plea
(anomalies)
Lemma and
Plea colour

38

Fa segregation and ratios recorded.

Erect :spreading. prostrate.
Lazy :erect
Procumben t :normal
Prostrate :crect
Spreading :erect
Green: purpl -blade

1 :2: 1.
3 :1.
3: l.
3 :1.
3 :1.

Light :purple-blade
Coloured :colourless

3 :1.
3: 1.

13 :3.

3: 1.
3: 1.
3: 1.
3: 1; 9:7; 27:37.
3: 1.
12:3:1; 9:3:4.

Green:gold
Light brown :colourless
Light purrcle :colourless
Purple :co ourless
Purple lining :colourless
Purple :ycllowish brown:
light-brown
Non-glutinous: glutinous

3 :1.

Green-pink

3:1.

Green-purple
pu le :green
Pur e :striped :green
Normal :rolled

13 :3.
3:1; 9:7; 27:37.
27:9:28.
3: 1.

Coloured :colourless
Coloured :non-coloured

3:1.
3: 1; 9:7; 15:1;
27:37.
3: l.
27:9:28.
3 :1.
9:7.
3:1.

dt

Purple :green
Purple :striped :green
Red:green
Reddish :green
Normal :abnormal
(open glumes)
Ash black :yellow
brown
Black :inter :yellow
Black :straw
Black :yellow
Black :yellow: brown
Black: yellow: blackish
Blackish violet :aeex

3:1; 9:7; 27:37.

9:6:1.
3:1; 9: 7.
9:7; 15: 1.
3 :1.
36:21 :7.
27:9:9:3:16.

Characters.

iF

39

segregation and ratios recorded.

blackish violet:red
blackish: apex reddish
black:yellowish white
Coloured: colourless.

------=

3:1; 9:7; 15:1;

27:37;81 :1 75.
3 :1.
Colourless :gold.
Dark furrows :ripening gold 3 :1.
Dark-furrows :gold
3 :1.
Dark gray:dark orange
9:3:3:1.
streaked: white :orange
streaked
Dark gold :ripening gold
3 :1.
Even coloured: inter1 :2:1.
mediate mottled
Green: blackish green
3:1.
Green:blackish green:
9:3:3:1.
light-brown :brown
3 :1.
Green :dark furrows
3 :1.
Green :light brown
Green patchy gold :gold
3:1.
3:1.
Piebald dark-furrows:
dark gold.
3 :1.
Piebald :green
3:1; 9:7.
Purple: colourless
3 :1.
Purple :green
3: 1.
Purple :non-purple
9:3:3:1.
Purple: purple striped:
brown :yellow .
9:3:3:1.
Purple: reddish brown:
dark gray:white
3: 1; 9:7.
Red: white
Red :ripening brown :white 9 :3 :4.
3:1 ;9:7.
Red :colourless.
3 :1.
Tawny:non-tawny.
9:3:3:1.
Tip gold :gold :ripening
straw ripening
3:1.
White:red
3:1.
Yellow:browt'l.
9:6:1.
Y llow:inter:deep brown
3; I.
Yellow:red
13 :3.
Yellow-brown :colourless
3 :l.
Yellowish brown:red
9:6:1.
Yellow:inter:brick-red

( 40
Characters.
' Lemma and
Palea
shelling
Ligule absence
Ligule colour.
Lodging
Nod colour
Panicle
anomalies.
Panicle density

Panicle
exsertion
Panicle (shape
of neck)
Peri carp colour

Pistil number
Pulvinus colour

F 2 segregation

and ratios recorded.

Easy :tough chaff

shelling

3 :1.

Tough :easy chaff shelling

Normal :Iiguleless
Coloured: colourless
Purple :colourJess
Normal: brittle
Lodging :non-lodging
Purple: green
Normal :aberrant

3:1.
3: 1.
3:1; 9:7; 27:37.
3 :1.
3: 1.
3: I.
3:1; 9:7; 27:37.
3: 1.

Lax :dense
Lax:normal
Normal: compact
Spreading :c1ose
Partially emerged:
tip-emerged : enclosed
Normal :sinuous

3: 1.
3:1.
3:1.
9:7.
49:3:12.

Black :inter :white

Brown: yellowiSh brown
Brown :white
Full red :gray brown :white
Gold :yellow
Purple: brown
Purple :red :white
Purple :whi le
Red:gold
Red:gold
Red :gray brown
Red:white
Reddish brown :yellowbrown :white
Red piebald :pale
piebald :white
White :amber
Light red :whit
Dark fed :light red
Red:amber:white
One: many
Coloured :colourless
Purple :non-purple

1 :2: 1.
9:3:4.
3 :l.
9:3:4.
3: 1.
9:7.
12:3:1.

15 :1.

3: 1.
3: 1.
3: 1.
3:1.
3:1; 9:7; 15:19:3:4.

1:2 :1.
3:1.
3: 1.
9:7.
1:2: 1.
3 :1.
3:1; 9:7; 27:37.
15: 1.

41

F, segregation and ratios recorded.

Resistance to
disease

Resistance :susceptibility to 3 :1.

Leptosphoeria (Catt).
Resistance :susceptibility to 3: 1.

Melanomma ory(.ae.
Resistance: susceptibility to 3:1; 9:7.

Piricularia oryzae
Root colour
Scented ness
Spikelet
arrangement
Spikelet
attachment
.Spikelet
length

Re3istance :susceptibility to

3: J.

Helminthosporium ory~ae
Coloured :colourless
Scented :non-scented
Cl uster :inter :non-cluster

9:7.
3:1; 9:7; 27:37.
1 :2:1.

Non-shedding:
shedding
Shedding :non-shedding
Short:long

Normal :large.
Length-breadth;
3.14 :3.44 :3.88.
Spikelet shape
Round:long
Spikelet
High :mid high :low:
weight
2.144:2.075: }.910 mmg.
Stature of plant Dwarf:talJ
Short:tall
Tall:dwarf
Tall :dwarf:dwarf II :
dwarf III
Tall :short
Sterility
Normal : abnormal
(narrow leaf and
open glumes.)
Normal :abnormal (nondehiscence of anthers,
aborted pollen grain)
Fertile :awned sterile
Fertile: barren
Fertile: completely sterile
Fertile :paleaceous sterile
Fertile :partial sterile
Fertile :semi-sterile
Fertile :semi-sterile
(slender and semi-sterile)
Fertile :sponginess

3 :1.
15 :1.
3:1.
3:1.
1:2 :1.

3 :1.
1:2 :1.
3: 1.
3: l.
3 :1.
9:3:3:1.

3:1.
3:1.
3: 1.

3: 1.
3 : 1.
3 : 1.
3: 1.
3: 1.
3: 1.
3: 1.
3: 1.

Characters.

Stigma colour

42

Fa segregation and ratios recorded.

3 :1.
Fertile :staminodal sterile
3 :1.
Fertile :sterile (non-dehiscence of anthers)
Fertile :sterile (degeneration 3: 1.
of pistils)
3 :1.
Fertile :sterilc (shrivelled
stamens)
3 :1.
Fertile :sterile (absence of
medium ribs in the leaves
twisted leaf base, abnormal
branching, pistils degenerate into the form of a
leaf and the occurrence of
flowering twice a year).
Fertile :asynaptic sterile
3: I.
3 :1 ;27 :37;81 :175.Coloured :colourless
9:7.
Purple:green (white)
15; ).
Colourless :coloured (?)

Interspecific hybridization. At Coimbatore (Madras)

hybridization between different sp~cics of Oryza has been carried
out. O. sativa was crossed with O. officinalis and the Fl proved
to be sterile. The stubbles of this hybrid were treated with
different concentrations of colchicine to induce doubling of
chromosomes, but this could not be achieved. An alternative
method of back-crossing the triploid F ~ of the sam cross with
O. officinalis was employed, but this too proved a failure (Anon.,
1940).
Mutations. Effect of X-rays on rice was studied by
Ramiah, Parthasarathy and Ramanujam (1934 b). Dry, wet and
germinating seeds were exposed for one hour, two hours and three
hours under a coolidge tube with copper anti-cathode, operated
at 53 K. V. and a tube current of 10 to 11 m. a. at a target
distance of 17 cm. without filter. The wet and germinated
seeds were badly affected and the dry ones showed the increased
lethal effect with the increased dos. One of the dry seed Xrayed plants (three hours' treatment) showed the formation of

43

a tetravalent, resulting in a large amount of sterility. It was

attributed to an interchange of non-homologous chromosomes.
Mutations have also been recorded by Garu (1937) as a result
of X-raying seed, which showed changes in dwarfness, habit,
sterility etc., and ageotropic behaviour. Some of these mutant
cultures showed promising results as higher yielders.
Ramiah and Parthasarathy (1939) in recent years have
achieved a considerable success by the X-ray technique. They
obtained a large number of mutants by X-raying rice seeds
and have realized some homozygous types which are promising well, showing a slight improvement in vigour and small
differences in height and flowering duration. A number of
mutants so obtained from X-rayed progenies has been under
trial in Madras and some of them appear to be higher yielders
(Reddi, 1938-39).
Anandan and Krishnaswami (1934) observed a mutant from
rice which is considered a gene mutation. It behaved as a
simple recessive, segregating in roughly 3: 1 ratio. A virescentwhite mutation in rice from a strain of Kolamha (K . 79) was
observed by Kadam (1935) . I t was inferior to the parent in
panicle length, height, number of tillers and in yield, and was
late by about five days.
An asynaptic mutant has been recorded by Ramanujam
and Parthasarathy (1935), showing complete fai)..ure of pairing
at meiosis and a somatic mutant with higher vigour and compara tively early maturity, by Reddi (1938-39).
An ageotropic mutation was obtained by Parthasarathy
and Ramiah (1936).
They showed that it behaved gravitationally indifferent and appeared to be a simple dominant.
A haploid plant, already referr d to elsewhere, was observed
by Ramiah, Parthasarathy and Ramanujam (1933, 1934 a)
as a twin in a polyembryonic seed, and a triploid plant in the
'fourth generation of a cross between two varieties of cuI tivated
rice by R amiah, Parthasarathy and Ramanujam (1933). The
authors (1935) also record a tetraploid plant in wild rice,

( 44 )

O. longistaminata. Reddi (1938-39) came across a sterile tetraploid rice plant.

Natural c rossing. Self-pollination is the general rule in
this crop. Evidence of natural crossing which takes place wholly
through the agency of wind has, however, been recorded by a
number of investigators working in dfrerent parts of India
(Assam, United Provinces, Central Provinces and Madras) as
shown below;Percmtage of crossing.
Authors.

Parnell (1915).
1.3 to 2%
Parnell and others (1917)
0.1. to 4 %
Hector (1913,1922)
4%
Mitra, Gupta and Ganguli (1928 a, h) 0.5.%
Anon. (1936-37)
0.30 to 1.27%
Not exceeding 2 %
Sethi and Saxena (1931)
Ramiah (1931)

6 to 7%

Acclimatization of foreign rices. In Sind attempts were

made to acclimatize foreign rices. Phillipine rices were found
unsuitable (Jenkins, 1933). British Guiana rices failed to set
grains (Tamhane, 1936). Rices from United States of
America have also been tried but with little success
(Jenkins, 1935). Six Italian rice varieties proved sterile (Jenkins, 1935). ' Thadani (1940) again mentions trials in Sind
of rices from America, Phillipine, Italy, Russia and British
Guiana which failed to give promising results.

Acclimatization of extra-provincial rices in different provinces has been a permanent feature in the breeding programme of
research centres all over India. Notable successes have been
achieved at certain places e.g., Kolamba and Sarguja rices from
Bombay introduced in Bihar by Col. MacLean have
proved very successful for up-lands and T. 3, a long fine paddy
of the United Provinces, introduced by the late Mr. M . Alam
has been fully acclimatized under the Bihar conditions
(Richharia and Saran, 1943).

45 )
Wild rice . Enquiry regarding wild paddy began in
Madras in 1896-97. A number of samples were collected which
were identified as wild forms of Ory<.a sativa (Anon., 1897-98).
Roy (192 I) records 24 types of wild rices from the Central
Provinces. According to Burns (1939) wild rice has always
been a problem as it hybridizes easily with cultivated rice and
transmits to the progeny its evil habit of ear-shattering and
dropping its seed in mud. Attempts to solve this problem by
breeding have been mad at several places. First in Bihar and
later in the Central Provinces this has been done by introducing
colour into the selected rices, for districts where wild rice is a
pest, so that the wild (non-coloured) rice can be rouged out
in the seedling stage.
Mi sceUaneous. Sethi (1931) studied the root development of the paddy plant under varying conditions of growth.
He distinguished two types of roots: (1) thin, brown, flaccid
and i>ranched and (2) bold, white and almost unbranched.
In was found to be bright and strong before flowering, but later
on it became weak and flaccid as the flowers appeared. From
the anatomical observations the author concludes that the rice
plant is not quite an aquatic plant and that it requires aeration
for healthy growth.
Rhind and Subramaniam (1931) have suggested methods
to detect the red grain in improved paddy at the multiplication
and the~ distribution stage, after it has left the plant breeder's
experimental area.
Observations on blooming and anthesis in Kolamba rice were
made by Kadam and Patil (1933).
Parthasarathy (1940, b) showed the importances of bran
during the early stages of germination. The break in the contact between the embryo and bran has the Same effect as the
complete removal of bran. Thickness of bran layers in the
rice was examined by Ramiah (1936). He records that the
coloured rices generally contain a thicker bran layer. Some
white rices also show this character.

46

A detailed histological account of the most important colours

of the rice grain is given by Ramiah and Mudaliar (1937).
Hybrid vigour in rice has been studied by Ramiah and
Ramaswamy (1939, 1941) and Kadam, Patil and Patankar
(1937).
Parthasarathy (1940 a) observed that the vernalization
treatment reduced the flowering duration of rice by about five
days.
Sweet land paddy varieties can be successfully grown in
saline tracts by pretreating the se cis or seedlings with suitable
doses of common salt solution (Saran, 1943).
The other relevant references are shown under bibliography
A and B.
IMPROVED STRAINS OF RICE

CENTRAL PROVINCES AND BERAR. (NOW

MADHYA PRADESH)
Rice (A) Paddy Coarae
E . B. 17 . Early rice, ripens by the middle of O ctober, grows fairly well on
unprotected high lying areas and unirrigated tracts.
R. 3. Sultu Gurmatia. A coloured stem, early variety, ripena by the third week

of October.

R. 4 Sumatia. Heavy yielding medium rice with dark purple stem and

c0-

loured leaf ~heath, readily di!stinguishable, ripenJ by first week of November, suitable for areas infested with wild rices.
Rice (B) Paddy znedium fiDe.
R. S. Llldko. High yielding medium rice, with white ste:n and a little finer
grain, ripens by the second week of November.
R . 6. Budhia Banko. Medium fine paddy with plain stem, and glutinous grain,
largely in demand in the market under the name of Hansa , ripens by the
middle of November.
R. 7. Ajan. Heavy

yielding, late medium rice with dark purple stem,

suitable for irrigated tracts, ripens by the middle of November.

Gurmatia. Heavy yielding late rice with dark purple stem, and suitable for

irrigated tracts, ripens by the 20th November.

Bhondu. A heavy yielding medium rice with a stout stem and thick starchy
grain, highest yielder amongst medium rices.

47 )
BlwnduX Parewa (Cross No. 22). A heavy yielding medium rice, coarse in quality,
big bold reddish brown coloured grain akin to Blwndu, suitable for irrigated traCU.
No . 13. An early paddy of medium quality, wl:Lich can be grown on high
lying open fields, without irrigation. It can safely replace local low
yielding paddies like sikia, Kardhono, Laloo etc. Its rice i5 of medium quality,
and is far superior to any local early rice.

Chllalri. A medium late paddy of very higb quality and producing a table
rice of exceptional fineness, grows well in Jubbulpore
irrigation and needs good cultivation.

District under

BOMBAY
lIolamba 184. This is a seJ.::ction from local rice. It is a fine-grained, early
variety, ripening in 105 to 110 days, suilable for high lying fields.
Kolamba 540. It is a cross-bred fine-grained vari ty, ripening in 130 to 135
days.
Kolamba No. 42. It is a selection from local rice, late maturing and ripening
in 145 to 150 days.
Kolamba 226. It is a selection from Ghudya Ko/ambo, fine-grained, giving higher
yields and late maturing (145 to 150 days).
Ko/ambo 412. It is a cross-bred strain witll ahorter and finer grain, maturing
late. I ts straw is strong.
Palni 6. This is a selection from local Palni variety. It is ea.riy, maturing in
105 to 110 days, gives more yield and has a thinner grain.
Pan~161. It is a selection from the local material. It is an intermediate strain,
ripening in 124 days. It has finer grain and yields higher than the
local.
Woksal 207 . This is a selection from local Woksal. It is a course grained
variety and is intC'rmediate in matur:ty and yields higher than local Wak.rai.
Bhadas 79. This is a selection from local Bhadas variety of Ratnagiri. The
gram u coarse and ripens in t 13 days. It yields higher than the local.
Mugud 161. This is a selection from local varieties of drilled rices of
Karnatak. The variety is coarse. It gives more yield and is earliest,
ripening in 111 days.
Mugud 81. This is a selection from local drilled paddy. It is mid-late, maturing in 118 days. It is a coarse variety with higher yield than the local.
Mugud 249. This is similar to the above, but has a larger grain. The yield
is slightly lower. It ripens at the same time as Mugud 81.
Mugud 141. Thu is a late maturing and bigher yielding selection and takes
134 days to mature.
Antarsal 67. This is a selection from a local pigmented variety with higher
yield. It maturCil earlier than Mugud 161.

48
A.ntarsal 90. This is an intermediate red stemmed variety.
bold and yields more than the local.

The grain is

Anlarsai 200. This is a selection from local drilled paddy, with ,red stem
yielding higher than the local variety from which the selection wag made
Jtldhu 1061. This is a selection from local transplanted rices from North
Kanara district.
It is late with red grain, giving more yieJd than the
local.
Maskati 1315' This is also a higher selection from local transplanted variety
of the same name. I ts grain is white but a bit smaller.
Haigtl 244. This is also a selection from a local variety of the same name.
Its grain is red and it yicIds higher than the local
UNITED PROVINCES (Now Uttar Pradesh)
Early Varieties

Type

A selection from the var iety Ramjiwaill of Dehra Dun district. It is

an early type, taking about 85 days after transplanting to ripen (when sown
in the beginning of June and transplanted in the beginning of July). WheD
broad-cast it takes about 98 days to ripen . Usually transplanted and it
does well on broad-cast also. The grain is but long and fine, the grain
measurements being 9.78 mOl. (length) 1.98 mm. (breadth ) and 1.74 mm.
(thickness). The colour of glume is light orange, which deepens on ripening. The apiculus is reddi_,h purple and awns are very small. The habit
is erect, the plants showing a tendency to lodge in rich soils. The yield
of the transplanted crop is 2,500-2,800 lbs. (i. e. , go to 35 mds.) per acre.
The rice is white and slender and of average cooking qualities. The type
must be sown early in the last week of May in the nursery for transplanting
or in the second week of June for broadcast if successful crops, which will
ripen by the end of September, arc to be secured. Later sowings are likely
to damage the crop due to drought or to the attack of the rice fly "guruihi."
I.

Type g. A selection from the variety Bansmati of Dehra Dun district. It i_, a
. medium early type, taking about 98 days to mature after transplanting and
about 115 days to mature after broadcast sowing. Usually transplanted,
it does will even on broadcast. The grain is long and fine, the grain measurements, being 9.78 rom. (length), 2.02 mm. (breadth) and 1.79 rom.
(thickness). The glumes are straw coloured and awns are present upto a
length of I cm. only on the topmost spikelet. The apiculus is dull yellow
in colour. The habit is erect and the plants grow fairly tall and lodge on rich
loils only. The panicle is long and lax, not dense. The yield of the transplanted crop is 1,8o~2,OOO Ibs. (i. e., 22 to 24 maunds) per acre. Although
IOmewhat poor in yield, the type is in demand on account of superior quality.
The rice is white and fragrant and gives an attractive appearance on cooking.

49 )
The duration being somewhat prolonged, thecrop willluffcr from drought
and the rice-fly 'gulldlti' ifnot SOWD very early i. e., in Mayor the beginning
of June. Later 80Wings arc also likely to take the crop long into the next
rabi-sowing season and thus interfere with proper rotation.

Type ~ I. A selection from the variety Chaul of Rampur State. It is mediumearly in duration, taking abou t 93 days to ripen after transplanting and about
110 days to ripen after broadcast.
It can both be transplanted as well
as broaocast with satisfactory results. The grain is long and bold, like
that of T 12, the measurements being 10.00 mal (length), 1l33 mm .
(breadth) and 1.94 mm . (thickness). The glumcs are straw coloured and the
aWllS are absent. The apiculus is colourless. The habit is erect and the
plants lodge only on rich soils. The yield of the transplanted crop is
2,700-2,9 00 lbs. (i. e., 34 to 37 maunds) per acre. The rice is white,
possess!"..!! average cooking qualities and is inferior in wt to that of T. 12.
The rice is suitable for parching (preparation of'Lai' ~~il'). Being
a heavy yielding type of medium-early duration it has lilread in maay
canal irrigated tracts where early sowing can be practilod and thus the
crop harvested early enough for subsequent rabi sowings. In absence of
early ,owings, the type is abo likely to suffer from drought and 'gundhi/
Type 2g. A selection from ]hlma or Chittah, of Banda district. It is early
and it takes about BB days to ripen after transplanting and about
100 days to ripen after broadcallt. It can do well both as a trans'planted as well as a broadcallt type. The grain is long and bold dike
that of T . 12, and the glumes are slightly brighter in colour. The
grain measurements are g.78 mm. (length), 2.38 mm. (brea&th)
and l.gI rom. (thickness). There are DO awns and the apieutll5
is not coloured. The habit is erect, but the plants show a tendency to 'lodge.
The yield is fair, being in a transplanted crop 2,700-~,900 lbs. (i.,., 34 to
37 maunds) per acre. The rice is white, poISdSCS satisfactory cooking
gualitiea and is good to taste. 1t is w<!ll.uited for cuitivation i canal irri_gated areas where early sowing can 'be practised . ne type hat
come under distribution only recendy and the reports so far received
'are 'in its favour. its fair yield and slight earliness as compared to T. 2"1,
and its better taste are likely to make it suitable for those areas where
'T."21 hastleen found to be a little late or T. 12 'h as failed to give aatis'factory yields.
Type 65. A selection from the variety Ajan Dhan, Banda District. fi t
early type and takes ab
a, ~ tQ ripen after transplanting and
-.bout g8 daJl a.fJer j)m.a.c..t. 'he gram inuec.l.i.!.tnt coane, the m~~
&1UIIlte JbcMr S.U mIl1. <~M'''''
(:bJ:CI.<bh) r.Jlld 1/7.8 cnm. (thickD
~.
~1ItCS
"_w _ _ ed
.!of ,lightly a.rker
e than
l'oJ 2 Qt l'. 1. )h.-WIll
P
Ilnd 1Ihe 11 ~ ~ IU'( coloured, The

"-an

T_

.lIe

( 50 )
straw is of average strength and the plants lodge under well manured conditions. The yield is about 2,500-2,700 Ibs. (i. e., 30-33 maunds) per
acre, if the crop is transplanted. The rice is white and of average cooking
qualities. In absence of early sowing the type is likely to suffer from
'gund"i',
Type A-64' A selection from liansraj, Unao District. It is a very early type
and is usually broadcas ted, but can also be transplanted. When broadcasted it takes about BS days to mature; it is about 3-4 weeks earlier than
T. 2t. Small bits of awns may be present on the spikelcts. The grain ia
medium coarse, the measurements being 8.85 mm. (length), 2.54 mm.
(breadth) and 2.01 mm. (thickness). The glumcs are straw coloured.
The plants show a tendency to lodge. The yield per acre of broadcast
crop is about 1,950 Ibs. (i. e. , 24 maunds). Being a specially early type it
is well suited to cultivation in comparatively dry areas, Jacking in irrigation facilities.
Type 136. A hybrid type from a cross between T. I and T. 100. It was bred
at Nagina. Itis early and takes abou t 81 days from transplanting to ripening and abou t 93 days from broadcasting to ripening. The grain is Jong
and fine, the measurements being B.8 mm . \length), 2.08 mm. (breadth)
and 1.75 rom. (thickness). The glumcs are straM' coloured with small awns
upto half an inch in length. The apiculus is colourless. The habit is erect
loose~y bl'anched and pres enL~ an attractive appearance when crop is in
full bloom. The yield of the transplanted crop is 2,500-2,700 lbs. (i. ,.,
30 to 34 maunds) per acre. The rice is white and of average cooking
quality. Being earlier than T. 1 or T. 12, its success ill not so much dependent upon earJy.sowing. Even when sown broadcast at the break of monsoon it will ripen in good time and allow proper rabi rotation.
Type 43. A selection from Sondhi, Etah D.ilJtrict. 11 is an early type and
takes about go days 10 ripen after transplanting. When broadcast it ripens
in 102 daY'. The grain is medium coarse, the measuremenU being Bolo
mm. (length), and 2.24 mm. (breadth) and 1.76 mm. (thicknelS). The
g lurnes ar-e straw coloured. The panicle is heavy and dense and the spikelela
long-awned. The type is suited to areas where the paddy crop is damaged
by bird. and other wild animals. The yield u fair, being ::1,700-11,900 lba.
(i.e., 34 to 37 maunda) per acre. The habit is somewhat spreading and
the straw is thick. but subject to lodging. The rice is white IUld of average
quality.

Late Varied
A selection from variety DlUliopot, Buti District. It is a late type,
taking about 135 days to ripen after transplanting. The grain j.loog and
bold fine, the measurements being 9.25 mm. (length), ::1'10 mm. (breadth)
and 2'04 rom. (thickness). The glumea are straw coloured with orange

7)p4 9.

51

apiculus and the awn is absent. The rice is white and fragrant and has
good cooking qualities. The yield per acre is 2,1l00---:Z,40V Ibs. (i. e., 27
to 119 maunds).

Type 17. A selection from variety Bansi, Allahabad District. ] t is a late type
and takes about 125 days from transplanting to ripening. The grain is
bold fine, the measurements Leing 9.92 mm. (length), 2.22mm. (breadth)
and 1.85 mm. (thickness). The glumes are straw coloured with light orange
tinge. Awns arc absen t. The rice is white and of average quality. The
yield per acre is 2,800---3,000 lb . (i.e., 35 to 37 maunds).

7ype 22-A. A selection from variety BallSi, Banda District. It is a late type and
takes about 135 days to ripen after transplanting. The grain is long and
bold fine, the measurements being 9.82 arm. (length), 2.66 mm. (breadth)
and 1.93 mm. (thickness). The glumes are straw coloured, and the awns
arc uptO t em. in length . The apiculus is not coloured. The ear is long
and of average compactness. The rice is white and of average cooking
qualities. The yic:ld per acre is 2,800-3,000 Ibs. (i. e., 35 to 37 maunds).

Type 23. A selection frum variety Kalasukhdas, Banda District. It is a late

type and takes about 131 days from transplanting to ripening. The grain
is medium in fineness, the measurements being 9.38 mm. (length), 2.15
mm. (breadth) and 1.77 rom. (thickness). The glumes arc reddish fawn
in colour with apiculus of the same colour. The rice is white: alJd tastes well
and is fragrant. The awns vary in length from I em. to 3 'm . The fragrance of the variely is apparent ill the field even while the crop is green.
The yielding capacity is mecliwn but the variety has been reported upon
favourably on poor and usar (alkaline) areas.
The yield per acre is
2,500 lbs. (i.e., 30 maunds).

Type 25. A selection from Parjati, Sitapur District. It is a lale type and
takes about 135 days between transplanting and ripening. The gtain is
medium fine like that of T. 23 but the rice is not fragrant. The grain
measurements are 9.76 mm. (length), 2 ....3 mIn. (breadth) and
1.95 mm. (thickness). The glu.1l1c:. arc reddish fawn in colour with apiculus of the same colour. The grain is difficult to distinguish from that of
T . 23. The rice is white and cooks into an attractive produet, but unlike T.
23, there is ~o fragrance. The yielding capacity is moderate, the:
yield per acre being about 2,600 Ibs. (i~., 32 maunds).
T.J~ 26.

A selection from ~'liee of Basti District. It is a late type, ripening

in. 130 days from transplanting. The grain is small and fin e, the mea.~\lre

ment being 7'66nun. (length ), 194mm. (breadth) and 1'65 arm. (thicknes ). The glumes are straw coloured, usually without awns but tin)' bits
may occur now and then. Apiculus is colourless. The ears are of medium

( 52

length and heaviness. The rice is white and ofsuperior cooking qualities.
The yield per acre is about 2 ,500 lbs. (i.e., 30 maunds).

Type 36. A selection from variety Jarhan of Cuttack, Orissa. It is a late

type and takes '35 days between transplanting and ripening. The grain
is long, large and coarse, the measurements being 10'06 mm. (length),
2'65 mDl. (breadth) and 2.08 mm. (thickness). The glumes are straw
coloured with awns upto , em. in length. The apiculus is reddish purple.
The height is medium and the straw fairly strong and non-lodging. The
yield is good, being 3,000 to 3,200 lbs. (i.e., 37 to 40 maunds) per acre.
Type 100. A selection from variety Bhenslot of Azamgarh District. It takes
about 126 dnY\' between transplanting and ripening. The grain is large and
coarse, the mea!!urements being 7.79 mm. (length), 3.24 mm. (breadth)
and 2.44 mm. (thickness). The glumes are of a light orange shade and the
awns are absent. Apiculus is purple. The plants grow fairly tall and the
ears are heavy. The yield per acre is ll,gOO to 3,100 lbs. (i .e., 35 to 38
maunds).

T.Jpe 110. A selection from variety Ramjai, Allahabad District. It is a late

type and takes ablout 137 d?ays to ripen after transplanting. The grain is
ahott and round, the measureI.O.ellts bdng 5 '50 mm. (length), ll'~ rom.
(breadth) and 1"90 lJlm. (thickness). The glumes are .traw coloured
Ol.lt take up Ii brow.nish shade w.hcn the graio is fully ripe. The apiculus
u not coloured in the.grcm stage but al ..ipening it beCODll!S deep orange.
Awna arc absent. The hl.bit is ecect and the plants medium in beicht.
The panicle is dcme and faidy lp~. Thl! yield per ac.re ia II,Soo-s,ooo
Ibs. ("-'" 35 to 37 ~).
T.1l* 1 J g. I t is aselection &om. nridy ~ of J aunpur Disuict. I t takes
about 121 days from tranaplantlD8 to ripCJU.Qr. The grain.ill 100( and
J;pedium fine, mcaauremenu be.i.ni 9'91 mID. (length), i'~ mm. (breadth)
and 1'90 mIn. ("tb.ick.neJS). The glumes are of dark Qrange colour. Apiculus
ia co1ourleu awi awQII .ablen.t. Yield per ,acre ia ll,Soo to 3,000 lba. (1.1 .., 35
to 37 M.ds.)

UHOAL
AJa_ varlede.
Dacca No. I, lllilrasail. A medium coarse, transplanted aman paddy, ripening
normally by 14th of December. It is very suitable for area.~ in East and
North Bengal where the soil is fertile and moisture lasts upto November.
It does very well in the lower transplanted paddy landt of the Madltt1pW'
jungles. It should not Of"dinan1y be grown on double-cropped land, or
on higher lands wbere earlier (Kartik) paddies are u!l\lally grown. Utlder
luitable conditiON this paddy will yield one maund a ",Ira more than the
best local varieties.

53

Dacca NO.5. Dudshar. This paddy ia very similar in all respects to NO.1, but
ripens seven to ten days earlier, hence il is better suited to lighter soils and
higher si tuations than No. I, and under such conditions it will give a betler
yield than NO.1.
Dacca No. 15 .]hi'llasail. This is a finer paddy than No I or ~. Il ripens about the
same time as No. ~ and yields the same under similar conditions. It yielda
a superior quality of rice, but has a short awn and a weak straw, and is liable
to lodge. It has done very well in the Bankura and Birbhum Districts,
particularly on intermediate lands. Nos. 2 arJ 3 are alio capable of yielding about one maund a bigbll more than the best local varities, under suitable conditions.
DIIUa Na. 17, UUisaiJ. This is an oval sbaped coane, heavy yielding paddy,
as early as No.2. It can be grown wilh success on the same type of land as
Nos. I, 2 and 3, and will also do well on slightly higher situatioWi. It hal
a short straw. I t can be recommended for double-cropped land and to
those who wish an early heavy yielder bUl no quality.
Dacca No. 21. This is an early strain of an oman hybrid, known as D X I (34).
It is a paddy of very superior quality and a fairly heavy yielder. It is
recommended for medium lands and for those who wish quality and not
much yield.
Chi7l.lura No . I, Nagra 68/6. Tbis is a selected beavy-yielding si rain of the
Nagra paddy of West Bengal of medium quality. It is 9uilable for the
same type of land as No.1.
Chinsura No.2, BhasamaniJe. This is a selected pure line variety of West Bengal.
It is a heavy yielder and has established a very rood reoord in various parts
of the provi~e. It is an ideal paddy for general uae, combining yield
with quality.

Bankura No. I. Bruikalamkati 65. This is an imrprovcd strain of Badkakmrkll#

paddy of BanJcura district belonging to the KarliJc paddy group. It is a
paddy of good quality, very early and fairly heavy yielding. On tb"t high
"Bad lands" ofBankura and Birbbum district! it hIlS practically no rival.

Bansal No.2. Khiraijali 8. This is an improved strain of a balam paddy of

Bansal known as Khiraijoli. This paddy is IIlso of a good quality, suitable
for the balam tract of the Baltarganj district.
Bansal NO.1. Chingrighrui 5. It is an improved heavy yielding strain of the
balom paddy of Bariaal known as Ohi"ll"igluln. It is a paddy of good quality,
IlUitable for the Ixllam tract of Bansal.
Tilakkacheri. A course heavy yielding paddy rather late as compared to No.
1. It is suitable (or the: same type of! nd as NO.1 but will suit even lower
situations. It is a very heavy yicldc:r and can be re(:ommended to thoae
who wi.h yield but not quality.
An early paddy suitable for double cropping land.

ClI2.XR2~.

Chinsurah 7'2. A fine scented paddy with a heavy yield.

Ban.iful. A coarse heavy yielding paddy. It has spread to a considerable
extent in district of Barisal.

Pallia; (23 ). Improved strain of'Patnai' paddy of commerce, suitable for growing in Sundarbans.

It stands fine milling operations.

Daudkhani. Improved strain of fine paddy with a good yield.

Rajasail. A paddy suitable for growing in tidal regions of lower Bengal.
AUS varieties.
Dacca NO.2 . Kalaklara. A medium finc, broadcast, high yielding highland
aus, takin g four months to mature. It does best on fertile highland, in
rotation with a rabi crop. It does well on the highland of the Madhupur
jungle tract. It is rather late for double-cropped land, unless followed by
very early arnan.
Dacca No . 4. Surjamukhi. A medium fine, highland aus, very ~imi l a r in all
respects to Kataklara.
Dacca No. 14. Dhairal. This is a coarse highland aus paddy. It is a very beavy
yielder a " d is liked by the cultivators for their own use. It has established
an excellent record all over the province, wherever it has been tried.
Dacca No . 6 , Chamak . This is a very fine highland aus paddy, ripening earlier
than D acca Nos. 2 and 4, and suited to lighter soils. For a combination of
yield and fineness, it is one of the best paddies.
Dacca No.fI 6, Kumari. This is a medium fine highland paddy of a good quality
and is a heavy yielder.
Dacca No 18. It is a strain of hybrid origin. It is early and particularly suitable
for rich light soils and also for double cropped lands.
Ban1cura No.2. Jha,yi (34). This is a selected strain of pure line transplanted
GUS of Bankura. It is coarse, beavy yielding and suitable for higher situations of transplanted paddy lands.
Ban1cura NO.4 . Bliutmuri (36). This is an improved, heavy yielding strain of
aus paddy ofBankura known as Bhutmuri. It is suitable for higher situations
and is also drought-resistant. It yields a coarse rice which is liked by cultivators and the labouring population.
Marichbeli. A coarse grained early maturing variety.
D X L (:34). A medium grained early maturing variety.
Pukhi. A medium grained early maturing variety.
Larkoch. A medium grained late ripening variety.
Dhalasaila. A medium grained, medium ripening variety.

BARODA STATE.
It has proved earlier than the local by about 10-15 daya. It
abo possesses better grain than the local variety.
Paddy T. Ill. It is an early-maturing strain with better quality of grain,
yielding higher than the local material by 10 to 25 percent.

CaWl'lpore T. [.

55

}/agirw. T. I. and T.21. from the United Provinces and K. 226 and K. 184
from Bombay have also been acclimatized.

COCHIN STATE.
Strain Cothi"

Gives 15 p . c. to 20 p. c. higher yidd than the local.

(2) Manlres a fortnight earlier than the local, (August to December).

I. (1)

ASSAM

D. 138-6 Tepi Dumai. Flowering duration; 54 days. Grain black, kernel red;
height 3'-8" ; Yield per acre, on cultivator's field, 18 '09 mds.
C. 148-1 CMngri. Flowering duration, 62 days: Grain blackish brown: awnless medium intermediate; kernel red; height 3'-5" : Yield per acre, on
cultivator's field, 19'98 mds.
M. 142 Kai-murali. Flowering duration, 65 days: Grains yellow: slight trace
of awns : coarse intermediate: kernel red: height 3'-5'" Yield per acre
OD cultivator's field, 19'17 mds.
M . 36-30 Baura.rh Murali . Flowering. duration, 70 days: Grain yellow:
short awns : medium intermediate : kernel red: height 3'-7" : Yield
per acre on cultivator'S field, 20'89 mds.
M . 175-1 Dhola Jali. Flowering duration, 67 days; Grain yellow : awnless :
medium intermediate: kernel red : height 3'-5". Yield per acre on Farm
30 mds.
~s . 24--1 Ba.ranta Bahar. Flowering duration, 74 days : Grains brown: awnles.,:
very fine intermediate : kernel white translucent : height 3'-4" : Yield
per aCre on cultivator'! field, 21.11 mds.
As. 2 Kachalat. Flowering duration, 80 days: Grains yellow: short awns :
medium intermediate: kernel red: height 4'-5". Yield per acre on cultivator's field, 23'93 mds.
~s. 46 Aus Jario. Flowering duration, 86 days: Grains brown awnless: medium
intermediate: kernel red: heigh t 3'-10": short straw. Yield per acre on
cultivator's field, 20'44. mds.
~s. 3 Ba.rhmati. Flowering duration, go days :(Grains yellow: awnless: medium
intermediate: kernel white: height 4'-3),: strong straw: Yield per acre
on cultivator's field, 27. 12 rods.
Art. 536 :143 Hybrit/. Flowering duration, 76 days. Grains yellow:
awnless : medium intermediate: kernel white : height 4'-2" : Yield per
acre on farm 34 rods.
S. 22. Latisail. Grains yellow trace : short awns: coarse intermediate: kernel
white : H~ight 4'-6": strong straw. Yield per acre OD cultivator's field
25'43 mds.
S. 61 . Pra.radbhog. Grains yellow: awnless: medium intermediate kernel white,
translucent: height +'-10": Yield per acre on cultivators field, 23'44. mds.

56

S. 156. .l(agra Sail. Grains yellow: awnless: fine intermediate: kernel white:
translucent: height 4'-6" : Yidd 23'44 mds.
S. 155. BadshaMog. Grains deep yellow : awnless : very fine : short : kernel
white : tran~lucent scented : height 4'-9": Yield per acre on cultivator's
field, 18'8S rods.
S. 161. Dhepi sail. Grain yellow: awnless: coarse long : kernel white: height
5'-0" : Yield per acre on cultivator's ficld, 25'83 mds.
S. C. 54-60. Vijoy sail (Hybrid) . Grains yellow: awnless: medium intermediate : kernel white: Height 4'-1" : strong straw: Yield per acre on
cultivator'S field, 25'83 rods.
S. C. 94~7. Kerr Sail (Hybrid). Grain ydJow : awnlclIlI : medium intermediate:
kernel wbite : height 4'-7" : Yield per acre on cultivator'! field, 26'73
mds.
S. C. 671-16 (Hy brid). Grains yellow: slight trace of awns ; fine: long: kernel
white: height 4'-7" : Strong straw: Yield on cultivator's field, 27'68 mds.
Ar. I. Sail Badal. Grains yellow : awnless : coarse : intermediate : kernel
white: height 6'-5": Yield per acrc on cultivator's field, 27'62 rnds.
Ar. 2. Lalci. Graillll yellow: awnless: medium: intermediate: kernel while:
height 7'-4" : Yield per acre on cultivator's field, 26'81 mds.
A,. 108-1 . Dhola badal. Grains yellow trace: short awns: coarse: intcrmediMe:
kernel white: height 6'-g". Yield per acre on cultivator's field, 29.61 mds.
AT. c. 353-148. Hybrid. Grains yellow: awns: coarse: intermediate: kernel
white: height 5'-3". Yield per acre on cultivator's field, 24'89 mds.
libj. Amall 1. (13-20). It belongs to the catyabagdaT Class of the Laid group.
It is a white kernel, fIDe, long grained awnless variety, baving husks of straw
colour with faint brown furrows. It matures in 6-7 months. It is ready
for harvest by the end of October or early November. lL yields about 35
maunds per acre.
It growl comfortably in 5-7 ft. of water. If water rises at any particular
period, if not too abrupt, it can stand even 7-8 feet Dr more. Due to its
ripening early it is preferably to grow it in the edges of haorsso as to facilitate
harvesting.
Hbj. Aman II (1911). It belongll to the Lalci group. An almost white kernel,
straw coloured, awnless, long grained variety, which matures in 8 montlu.
It is ready for harvest, about the later part of November. It is vc:ry prolific
and yields about 40 maunds per acre. The out-tum is much higher under
favourable conditions.
It growl in 8-10 feet of water or more if water rise is not too abrupt.
Hid. Amon 3 (38-'3). It belongs to the Gowai group. A red kernc1ahort awned
medium grained variety. The husks are of dull straw and the awnl are
brown in colour. The leaves are light yellow in appearance. It maturea
in 8-g months and is ready for harvest by the end of November or early

57
December. It yields about 30-35 Il'cls. per acre. It can stu.d 10-14 feet
of water and is suitable for low lying situations.
Hbj. Amatl IV (A. 185). It is sown in April-May and harvested in the fourth
week of November. Its earhead is compact and drooping, yielding 40
mds. per acre, on an average. It is suited to medium water level.
Hbj. Boro 1 (B. Ill). It belongs to the Kllaio boro or boro group and is a somewhat coarse grained, awned paddy with red kernel. The unbusked grain is
straw coloured with prominent blackish brown furrows. It is an early variety, having a small total water requiremem. If transplanted by the first
week of January, it is ready for harvest by the middle of April. The average yield is about 30-35 maunds per acre. When properly irrigated, yields
over 45 maund! may be easily expected. In the Assam Valley as much as
51 maunus per acre has been obtained with power pump irrigation.
Hbj. Boru II (B. 43). It belongs to the Tupa group. It is a straw coloured, short
awned variety, giving a while, medium and scented rice. It elongates on
cooking. It has a comparatively large water requirement than Kllaia boro
and responds very well to irrigation, especially just before flowering, when
yields of over 45 maunds may be expectcd. It is slightly susceptible to
drought. If transplanted by about the first week of January, it is ready
for harvest towards the end of April. Its normal yield is about So maunds
per acre.
Hbj. BorOS (B. 78). It belongs to the Rata or Sail boro group. It is a white medium
grained, straw coloured awnless variety, giving a good white, ~omewhat
fine, scented rice, which cooks well. The grain elongates on cooking. The
quality of the rice is better than the average boro paddy. It is an erect
variC;lY and has higher water requirement than the boro group. It is
tomewhat susceptible to drought and responds remarkably well to irrigation, especially just before !lowering. With adequate water $Upply, yields
of 30-35 percent above the nonnal, can be expected. Under average conditions it yidds about 30 maunds per acre. If tramplanted by the fint
week of January, it is ready for harvest towards the end of April. Thia
vu:idy is non-shedding.
Travaaoore .tate.

7. E. B. I. This was developed by a .eries of selectiollll from a crou between

O. S. variety Pl,M and Sambi' local. Tbe special qualities of thiII main
aro, bigb yield (4, 000 lbs. per acre) medium-early maturity, resistance
to lodging, resistance to Alkali, tolerance of other unfavourable growth
conditions, suited for Alkaline and Oruppu lands in Nanjanad, Kawlippu
lands in Gentral Travancore and Iran lands in the north. This strain is
able to withstand 0'064 percent of soluble salts. This is season fixed,
'r ipening its grains in October. Seedlings from go lb. would be ~ufficient
to trall8pIant one acre (allowing 9 inches space between plants).

58
T. E. B. II. Selection from local chcrumony.

A fine variety, giving a grain yield

of 3,000 to 4,000 Ibs. per acre. It has a lower husk percentage than any
other variety. It is generally harvested in March and has a duration of
150 days.

T. E. B. III. Selection from exotiC' Thekkancheera. A resistant varir,ly whkh

grows on Alkaline soils, yielding 1800 to 2,000 Ibs. per acre. This is able
to withstand 0'064 percent of soluble salts.

T. E. B. W.

This is a selection from local Pokkali . It is alkali resistant and

non-shedding. It flourishes in marshy lands. It is able to withstand
0'258 percent of soluble salts.
T . E. B. V. This is the "continuous blend" between dark champa and straw
coloured champa. The yield is fairly good, giving about 3,000 Ibs. per acre.

PUNJAB.

278 Sathra. It was approved in 1934 for distribution to farm en in Dera Ghazi
Khan district. on account of a keen demand for its seed from this district.
An early maturing variety, taking 82 to 85 days for ripening from the
date of transplanting, it is recommended for cultivation on inundationcanal areas of south-western Punjab where the canals stop running
early. If grown early in the season, it is less subject to attack by the ricestem borer. A fair yielder, giving an average outtum of 26 maunds of
paddy per acre from the transplanted crop. The rice is rather coarse in
quality and is not in demand in the Central Punjab.
349 Jhona. Got ready for distribution to farmers in 1933. A coarse variety of
medium duration, taking 90 to 95 days for ripening from the date of transplanting. Heavy yielder, with an average yield of 35 maunds of paddy per
aCre. Does best when transplanted early, i.e., from the middle to end of
June. It is not recommended for mountainous and sub-mountainous tracts or
for inundation-canal areas. Easy to thresh but liable to shed in the field,
ifallowed to overstand. Grain fairly long, of good milling quality, breaking
less in husking. Kernels pearly white. Fetches a premium of 1 to:2 annas
per maund over local Jhonas in the market.
346 Mahlar. Placed on the approved list of D epartmen tal seeds for distribution
to fanners in 1939, on account of its consistently good yield performance and
of demand for its seed. It is a coarse variety belonging to Jhona group and
has been giving as good yields as 349 Jhona. A medium duration variety,
taking 90 to 9!l days for ripening from the date of transplanting. A heavy
cropper, yielding about 35 maunds of paddy per acre under suitable conditions. Primarily 8uitt'.ci for early plantings, i.e., for those done up to the
middle of June, and especially recommended for sowing on inundationcanal areas. Grain does not break much in husking and yields good white
rice.

59

246 Palman Suffaid. Approved for distribution to farmers in 1939. It combines the mid.cJuration characteristic of jhbna with the nice appearance of
fine-quality rices. Ripens in go to 95 days from the date of transplanting.
Yield fairly high, averaging about 27 maunds of paddy per acre. Recommended for growing in place of LaJ (Red-husked) Po/man.r wherever
they are grown at present. Needs soil of medium fertility and does best
when transplanted early in the season, i. e., before 7th July. If allowed to
overstand , ~aim shed in the field btlt not so bad Iv a, in common Palmarrs.
Grains slender, long and fine. Kernel. pearly white dishone.,tly employed
in trade for adulterating Basmati. Unlike Basmatis, the kernels burst their
jacket, on cooking, fctche.q a premium of I to 2 annas per maund of paddy
over the Lal Palmans.
41 Mushkan. First given oul to farmers officially in 1933. A fin<:' variety,
somewhat latl" ripening, taking 100 to 110 days to reach maturity from
the date of transplanting. Average outtum about 24 maunds of paddy
per acre. Apt to IOOge, cannot stand heavy manurin~ and, therefore,
does best on soil~ of medium fertility. Has a lon~ transplanting .,eason,
i.t., can be sown early as w('U as late. Does not shed in tht" fidd and also
difficult to thresh. Withstands .adverse climatic conditions and also
attack of rice leaf hopper better than other fine varieties. Straw liked
by cattle. Sweet and odorous on cooking, and kernels elongate appreciably on boiling. Owing to i ~ lon~ grain and good cooking quality,
it fetches a~ good a price as local Basmati.
7 Mushkan. Being distributed to farmers since 1933. A popular variety of
cities like Lahore, where it is also called Bagami. Like oth('r varieties of the
MllShkan group, on cooking it~ rice is sweet and odorous. In many ofi~
characteristics it is like 41 MllShkan. But is a better yielder, being the best
in this rc,pect in whole of thl" Mushkan group. Avera~c outturn about
25 maunds of paddy per acre. The husk t, deeper coloured than in 41
Mushkan; and it is also easier of thre.qhing than the latter. Like 41
Mushkan it is also recommended for cultivation in all such areas in the
Province where finer types of rice are grown.
370 Basmati. Approved officially for distribution to farmers in 1933. A superfine quality rice, grown not so much for quantity as for quality. Average
outturn about 22 maunds of paddy per acre. Recommended for all places
in the Punjab where finer types of rice are already grown. Late ripener,
taking 105-112 days from transplanting to maturity. Does not lodge,
responds well to manuring; roquires fertile soil and good water supply.
Easy to thresh and yet does not shed in the field. Very resistant to the attack
of sclerotial disease, locally known a5 Bhorar or H dda. Kernels pearly white,
long and slender, even finer than those of the famous DehMa Dum NQ. 3, on
cooking, the kernels remain separate and elongate comiderably, i.e., to about

( 60 )
BI'5 mm., without bursting the jackets; when old, the kernels elongate even
more than this, as rice has the quality of improving with age. Grains break
considerably in husking, the yield of unbroken kernels being 1/3rd of the
weight of paddy. Fetches the highest price in the market and premium
Ofll to 3 annas per maund of paddy over local Basmati. Where it is sold under
the name of "Dehradun Basmati" "Amritsar Basmati" and "Peshwari
Basmati," it commands fancy prices.

BUlAR
Dahia. Early ripener, good yielder, drought resistant, medium rice, suited
for uplands.
/(ankesal. Long grained medium rice of good quality, heavy yielder suited for
low lands, ripening later than Dahia.
Latisal. Heavy yielder, coarse paddy very strong strawed, late ripener, suitable
for low lands.
Badshahbhog. Finc scented, short grained, good yielder, late ripening, suitable
for low lands.
K alamdan. Medium sized, main season paddy with heavy yield and rice of good
quality.
Cullack No. J. Early high yielding, gives white rice, has given invariably the
highest yield in almost all the centres.
B. K. "5. Early in maturity, white grain, non-lodging, yield liS to 30 mds.
Kanke II. A heavy yielding white and medium sized grain, late ripening low
land paddy.
B.K. 16. Flood resistant, light red grains, yield per acre 30 to 35 mds.
B. K . 36. Late in maturity about 10 days later than Kanke II, medium fine
white grain, ShOTt plant, non-lodging, yield per acr 30 to 35 mds.
MADRAS.
CA. 9 (Karsamba red). Isolated from Karsamba ,.ed~ grown in Tambraparani
patin in TinneveJ1y district, yielding 14 percent. over local. Though the
rice is red this variety is held in such a hi,h eateem in Tinnevelly that it
fetches as good a price at fine white rioe. Yielda over 3.000 Ib, per Kre.
duration 115 days, grain length 7'4 = j breadth S'lO!:mm; thiclmCM a'sr
rnID.

10 (Gobi kar). Isolate<!. from the "UT" variety, cultivated in GobichettipaJayam Wuk, yielding 17 percent over the local. This variety is recommended to areas under BhavQlfi irrigation. Rice i. white and i. IIO'Ught after for
thc preparation of pori or puffed rice, duration, III5 day.; S'J tom,length;
3'J mm. breadth and 2'J mm. thickness.
GEB. 24 (Kichilisamba). Isolated from KDrlomani, probably a mutant. b
yields best under early planted conditions and where the drainage is perfect
and high manuring :iJ practised, Itt non-shedding habit, fin-e table rice

Co,

61

quality, comparatively a higher proportion of rice to paddy by weight and

its tolerance to inadequate water supply and somewhat salin e conditions
have commended thelllllelves to ryots throughout the presidency. It is
largely grown in the delta areas, in the areas in the Circars and Madura
as a first crop and in Malabar and South Canara and Madura as a second
crop after Kar. It has given a maximum yield of 5,000 lb. in the Central
Farm in the first crop season, harvested in 4th week of November; grain
size, 7'8 mm. length; 2.6 mm, breadth and 1'8 mm, thickness.
Co I . (Peria Kiehili), Isolated from GEE. 24 as a natural cross, yielding :20
percent over GEB. 24 and possesses more or less tbe qualitit."S of GEB. 24
described above, only tll e rice i.~ coarse and is a week later in duration.
It is popular in Coimbatore and Trichinopoly districts, harvested in the
first week of December, grain size, 8'4 mm. length, 2'6 mm. breadth
and 1'9 mm. thickness.

Co. 7 (Gobi saaa samba). Isolated from Satlnis amba, cultivated in Gobichettipalayam taluk. It tillers profusely and has yielded 4,r50 Ibs. per acre
on the Central Farm, harvested in second week of Dettmber; grain size:
7'8 rom . length. :2 '6 mm. breadth and J'9 mm. thickness.
Ctl. :2 (Potlmbali qr /((1f'thiga .ramha). Isolated from Poomha/ai, Grown in Sivagiri in R.amnad district. Jt adapts itself better than other varieties for late
planted conditions in October and November. It has given a maximum
yield of 4,8861bs. per acre in th(' Central Farm in early planted conditioll!,
harvested in second week o(1)ecemberj grain size: 7'7 mm. length, 2'6
mm. breadth and t'9 mm. thidcness.
Co. g. (V'dlaismn1la). Isolated from Vellaisamba and .cultlvated in Coimbatore.
yielding 9 percent over ryot's bulk. It has yielded 4,000 lb. per acre in
the Central Fann. ft is becoming popular in South Kanam for second
crop, harvested in second week of December, grain size : 8- r mm. length,
2'6 mm. breadth and :2'0 mm. thickness.
Co. 5 (ChiMlUamba), Isolated from Chinlllllornha and cu1tivab!d in Coimbatore.
Yields 12 percent over ryot's bulk : It is a week laler than CO.:2 or Co . 3 and
yield.5 about 3,500 Ibs, under average conditions and retp01lds to high manu
ring. Its rice is comparatively fine, hat'Ve!tted in third week ofDecembccj
vain size :
mro. length, 2-6 mm. breadth and t'9 mm. thicknaa.
CII, 6 (SulJi, &mJxz.). Isolated from Sadoiso",ba, a long duruion variety, grown
.In .ingle crop lands where w ;ter-supply is available till January. It is a
tall growing and tillcring variety. It has yielded s,8go Ibs. per acre as
bulk crop in Central F rm, harvested NllI'fMl: first week ofJanuary, ~:
4Ust week of FebruaCYj grain tir:c; 7'7 ,mm. length, 2'8 mm. breadth and
J '9 mm, thiclmess.
(!o, (..4MJhomklt TiMevI!y), Isolated from AlI4iktlmban of Tinnevelly,generally
g1'OWll in the ptlMII4In. It ill locally appreciated for iu quality of rice and

,-8

62 )
8ize of grain. Yields 17 percent over ryot's bulk. It is recoDlIIlt!nded for the
Tambaraparani basin and Palaghat Taluk where Anoikomba1l is cultivated,
harvested Normal: second week of january, Thaladi: fint week of February; grain sue: 2'8 mm. length, 2'6 mm. breadth and l'g mm.
thickness.
Co. 4 (Go bi anaikomban). Isolated from Anaikomban cultivated in Gobichettipalayam taluk, yielding II percent. over the ryolS ' uulk. II is a taU growing
variety with coarse straw and grain. It is sought after fol' milking J~'i
(puffed rice). It has given yield of 3,788 Ius. per acrc. It is rcsistant to a
disease, known as blast, harvested Normal: third week of january, Thaladi:
third week of February; grain size: 8'6 mm.length, 2'7 mm. brcadth and
2'0, mm. thickness.
Co. I I. (Ayansa mba). Isolated from Ayansamba or Dal,'aray in Gobichettipalayam taluk, yielding 13 percent over the ryolS' secds. It is r'puled for
its fme quality, grows taller thall Co. 8 and is liable to lodge under h.ighly
manured conditions. The grain has an attractive clean straw colour,
harvested Normal: second week ofJanuary. Thaladi : second week of February; grain sue : 8'2 nun. length, 2'6 mm. breadth and 1'9 mm. thickness.
Co. 12 (Seruihinayagam). Isolated from Sendhinayagam, grown in Ambasamudram taluk in Tinnevelly, yielding 13 percent. over the ryols' seed. It is
grown in the Pishanam season where water supply is adequate till the end of
February. It yields well, both grain and straw cvcn, under normal
conditions, better than other Anaikomban. 1t has given an yield of 3,000 lbs.
per acre in the pishanam season, in the trials in Ambasamudram tal uk, harvested
Normal: third week of january, Thaladi: third week of February; grain
size; 8'0 rom. length, :2'g mm. breadth and 2.0 mm. thickness.
Paltambi 1 (..4.ryl1/l). Isolated from Aryan, cultivated in double crop wet lands in
South Malabar. It has given an increase of 15 percent over ryou' bulk
and recorded a maximum yield of 3,000 Ius. pel' aCre.
Iu rice is red,
duration '43 days; grain sue ; 8':1 lllOl. length, 2'g mm. breadth Al.d
:2'0 mm. thicknC88.
Paltambi 2. (PoflflQr;'1an) . Isolated from P01I1iaf)'an, usually grown in palliJal area
in South Malabar. The strain is recommended for both single and double
crop lands. The strain has maintained an increase in yield of 15 percent
over ryot'! bulk leed and recorded a maximum yield of 2,500 lbs. per acr.
in palli.Jal area. Iu rice is red, duration 135 days; grain sIze: 8'8 mm.length,
3'0 mm. breadth and 2'0 mm. thickness.
Paltambi 5. (Velulhari ka.Jama ). bolated from VelulharlJika.Jama, cultivatod in South
Malabar in irupugal lands. It is like Pallambi I . (Aryan) recommended to
lands commanding good water supply.
It is the heaviest yielder of the
first crop varieties. It ha, given an increase of 15 percent. in yield over
the local seed and recorded an average yield of 2,700 lbs. per acre. III

( 63

rice .i!l red, duration 140 da}'3; grain size: 8.4 mm. length, :2'9 mm.
breadth and 2'0 mm. thickness.
Paltambi 7. (Parambuvatlam) Isolated from Parambuvattam, an awned black-glumc
variety generally cultivated in high level palliyal in Walluvanad taluk. Thil
variety adapts itself to irregu lar supply of water during the growing period
and tolerates somewhat saline conditions in the coastal area. The strain
maintained an increase of 13 percent. over ryots' bulk and recorded a
maximum yield .of 2,350 lbs. per acre in high level palliyal. Its rice is red,
<iuralion 1!;!5 days; grain size: 8'0 mm. length, 2 ' 8 rnm. breadth and 11'0
mm. thickness.
Patlambi 8. (Chuuarmori Thavalakkanlloll ). Isolated from Thavalakkall1lan, a popular variety in Malabar and South ennaca. The strain matures a week
earlier and gives an increased yield of 17 percent over the local. It is recommended to areas where an early Erst crop is to be taken. Its rice is
red and it has given a maximum yield of 2,500 lbs., duration ISO days;
grain size: 7"3 mm. length, 2'g mm. breadth and 2'0 rnm. thickness.
Pattambi 9. ( Veluthorai Tha valakkannan ) . Also isolated from Thavalakkannan.
Though the strain is of the same duration as the local, yet it has the habit
of growing erect and tall with stiff straw. It is, therefore, becoming in
creasingly popular on this account, espeCially because the first crop
harves t synchronizes with the rainy weather. The strain yielded 13 percent
over the buJk and bas given a maxium yield of 2,900 lbs. per acre. Its rice
is white; duration 135 days; gr in size: 74mm. length, 2'9 mm. breadth
and 2.0 mm. thickness.
Pallambi I I. (Ha lliga). Isolated from Halliga, a first crop variety of major
importance in Coondapur and portions of Udipi taluk of South Canara District.
The strain yielded an average of 9 percent over the ryots' bulk. The average
bulk: yield will be about 2,500 lbs. an acre. Its rice is white; duration 14~
day,; grain size: 8 ' 0 mm. length, 11'8 mm. breadth and 2'0 rom. thickoesa.
Pallambi 3. (EvarapandJ). Isolated from EvoraJ,andJ. cultivated in Wall...
lIanad talu1:. It is the earliest of the second crop varieties. It is recommended to areas where water scarcity is felt in ~hc later half o(January and
-. ea~ly February. It has given 8 percent increas~ over the local and average
bulk yield of 1,800 Ibs. per acre. Its rice is red, duration . 128 day.; grain
size: 8'6 mm. length, 3 ' 0 mm. breadth and 2'0 nun. thickncss.
Patlambi 4. (VIllari). Isolated from VIUari, a late maturing second crop variety
of Malabar, yielding 1111 percent. oYer ryots' bulk. It is the heaviest yielder
of the second crop varieties, provided water supply is plenty, till the end
of January. Its rice is red and has given a maximum yield of 11,200 Ib9. per
acre; duration 140 days; grain size: 8 ' 1 mm. length, S ' l rom. breadth and
11.1 mm. thickness.
Patlarnbi .6. (Athikraya). Isolated from AthikrQJa, the chief second crop variety
of South Kanara. The strain groWi taller than the local and yields 18

( 64
percent over the local seed. The maximum yield pet acte was 2,000
lbs. Its rice is red; duration 145 days; grain size: 8.0 Iron. length,s. 1 mm.
breadth and 2.0 nun. thickness.
Pllilambi to. (Thtkkancheera). Isolated from Thtkkanchtera, a short duration

variety, grown in all the three seasons, first second and third rop, but
largely in the third crop season, when it is at its b st, yielding over 2,100
Ibs. per care. The crop matures in 100 days, irrespective of cime of sowing.
Its ricc is red.
Grain su;e:

Length
Breadth
Thickness

s, rom .
2gmm.
lIomm.

Maruleru 3 (Potti basangi, Autumn rice).

Isolated from Basangi, giving 12 percent

increase over ryots' bulk. This variety is suited to rich heavily manured
and very early planted conditions before the end of Junc. It is a stiff' and
erect growing strain and is consequently frre from lodging evcn under rich
conditions. This character ill valuable for this variety whose harvest geta
caught in raim ; Recommended for the Godavari delta. Yield per acre
vanes from 3,000 to 4,500 lbs., according to the time of planting and richness of the land.
Grain.ri:

Length
Breadth
Thickness

8.1 nun.
2.7 mm.
2.omm.

Maruteru 2. (BonIlla Akkullu). Isolated from Akkullu, grown over a very large
area in the Godavari delta giving 20 percellt increue in yield over eyotal
~ It is a cosmopolitan variety, luited to varied conditiom even to the
Aliae .nd ~ble area. along >the.cout. Y.ield per "-Cre 11,800 to

9.700 Ibs.
Length
Breadth
Thickness

8'0 mm .
2'8 mm.
2 ' 0 mm,

M1lt'IdmI4. (Pf<i/J.a Basartg;). Isolated from Basangi, glVlng 9 percent. increased yield and a week later than Potti Bmangi, suitable to areas of average
fertility, indifferent water supply and somewhat late planted conditions;
yield per acre 3,000 to 4,000 lb .
,c,.in site:

!;ength

llreadth
TAiclmeas

8S. mm.
2'6 msn.
2'0 nun.

MM"'''' roo (.... Jrrishu kaNktdu) . Isolated from S_-Jr'f'islall4 Jrtdwkulu,

one of the major varieties of Weat Godavari. Ast he Dame would indicates,
met' and fetchCl .. to 8 annaa per bag more than MGfIlUrU 5
(lJoJrIhaKro'-"altlkulv) , Yield per acre 2,800 to ,,200 lba.

t1le strain it

65 )
Crain siQ

Length
Breadth
Thickness

7'S mm .
2'3 mm.
1'7 mm.

Maruleru S. (8anlha Krishna katukulu ). I solated from Krishnakalukulu, the major

variety of West Godavari, especially in the upper delta, giving 12 per cent.
over th ryots' bulk. Yield per a re 2,800 to 3,400 lb.
7'8. rom.
Crain sic.: Length
Br~adth
26mm.
18mm.
Thickness
Marulem 2. (Patti AkkuLu). lsolated from AkkuLlu, giving 16 percent. increased
yield over ryots' bulk. Jt is a short growing type, hence suitable to rich
l and~ whc:rc Bonllw Akkulll may lodge. Yield per acre 2,800 to 3,50 lb.
Grain s~e: Length
7'9 mm.
Breadth
2'7 mm.
Thicklless
1'9 mm.
MaTulem 6. (Potti Atragada) . Isolated from Potti Atragada of Codavari ddta,
yielding 16 percent. over ryols' bulk. It is suitable to low-lying areas wbere
water stagnates and does not drain early. It, short growing habit helps
to keep the crop erect. This variety is kept for home consumption. Yield
per acre 2,800 to 3,000 lb.
Crain s;,ce
Length
7'9 mm.
2'8 nun.
Breadth
2omm.
Thickness
M aruuru II. (Korw mani). Isolated from Kanaman" giving 30 per cent increase
in yield. It is grown in both the lGIhna and Godavari ddtas and in the
Coli air region. It is able to grow under deep water conditions, provided
the crop is not completely submerged. I ts rice is brownish and is esteemed
for its nutritive value. Yic::!cl per acre 3,000 lb.
8.1 mm.
Crain ~e : Length
Breadth
g.o mm.
Thickness
2.0. mm.
Mllruteru 7. (Culti kusuma ). Isolated from Cult; kusuma, the major V31' f'tv rown
under the Kishna irrigation, yielding 16 percent. OVf'r the l'Oy13' bulk. The
strain does not lodge and is non-shedding. It also stands to some extent
indifferent water supply during the growth period.
Crain sLt:;e: Length
8'6 mm.
Breadth
2'7 mm.
Thickness
2'0 mm.
Maruteru 8. (Varrkisa"nom) . Isolated from Varrkisalllllml, giving 10 percent.
increlUe over the ryou' bulk. The strain is conspicuous for 113 robm t
dark green appearance in growth. It aeorCli over the local in fa sheddin6
and letting quality.

( 66
87 mm
Length
1I5 mm.
Breadth
Thickness
1'9 mm.
Maruteru 12. (Pedha atragada). Isolated from Pedha atragada grown in the Krishna
delta. It is suitable to low lying areas. I lS rice is esteemed by the delta
people and rl"tained for horne consumption. Yield per acre 3,150 lb.
Gain site:
Length
8'2 mm.
Breadth
2'8 mm.
Thickness
2'1 mm.
Maruteru 13. (Delhi Baham). Isolatcd from Delhi ballam or otherwisc known
also as 6arJci.l'anTl(JIII. This is suitable to well drained soils of the highe,
delta. It yields as high as Maruleru 8 (Vankisantlam), and possesses the
required fineness of size for the export market.
8'2 mm.
Grain site: Length
2'2 mm.
Breadth
Thickness
17 mm.

Grain.rice:

NOTE:-All the above varieties are recommended to the two delta areas of
Godavari and Krishna. They are suitable only to areas where sow
ings are done in May, June, and planted in June-Ju ly. T hey put
on a poor growth when planted late, as the flowering time of the
varieties is fixed.

STRAINS FOR SECOND CROP (DALVA)

(SPRING RICE).
MaTuteru 9. (Garika.wlmavari ). Isolated from Garikasannavari, a variety grown
over a very large area in the Godavari della for the 'da/va' season from
January-April, yielding 18 percent over the ryols' bulk; yields 2,000 to
3,000 lb. in the 'dalva' season. It stands early planting better than nailarlll
and grows fairly well in newly reclaimed coastal parra lands. In the fult
crop it is generally taken between June-October for use in the next da/va ,
Grain si;c;e : Length
8.1 mm.
Breadth
3.0 mm.
2.omm.
Thickness
NOTES ON STRAINS RELEASED FROM THE AGRICULTURAL
SECTION, ADUTURAI.
Strain for earry /Lar season. (Autumn-Spring).
Sowing-June.
Adt 3. (kuruuai). Isolated from kurnvai. Grown in all taluks of Tanjore
district and parts of Nellore, Chingleput, North ArCOl, South ArcOt,
'rrichinopoly, Salem, Coimbatore, Madura and labouring cliUlel as
parboiled rice. Though there is no appreciable increase over ryol'. bulk
., .it' u noted for its' earliness; Yields 3,46t lb. per acr~

67
Grain size: ... Length
Breadth
Thickness

)
7'7 mm.
3'0 mm:
2'0 mm.

A.dt. 4 (kuruvai). Isolated from kUYU1JQi. It gives an acre yield of 3,734 Ib ;

grown extensively in several taJuks of Tanjore district and parts of Triehinopoly, South Arcot, SaI('m, Coimbatore and Madura districts. It give3
about 12 perc("nt. increase over ryots' bulk.
Grain size: Length
7"9 mm.
3'0 mm.
Breadth
Thickness
2omm.
A.dt. 9 (poonicarl). Isolated from J)()onicar and gives an increase of 15 percent.
over ryots' bulk; gives about 4,8o(llb. per acre; grown in Tanjore, Kumbakonam. Nanni);in Negapatam , Pattukottai and parts of Trichinopoly,
Chinglcput, North Arcot: and South Areot; exported largely to Salem
market.
Grain si{e : Length
Breadth
Thickness
1 '9 mm.
Adl. 12 (Chitrakali). Isolated from chitrakali. Gives an incre3lle of 9 percent.
over ryots' bulk and yjelds 3,527 lb. per acre; grown largely in Tanjore,
Papanasam, parts of Triehinopoly, North Areot, South Areal and Ohinglcput districts; exported mostly to Salem market.
Grain si.l::e: Length
1)'7 mm.
Breadth
2'9 nun. j
Thickness
2'0 mm.
Adl. 14. (Vel/ailear). Isolated from vellaikar. It gives 9 percent. jrcrl"ase and
yields 4,375 lb. per acre; grown chiefly in Kumbakonam, Papn asam and
parl~ of Salem, Trichinopoly and South Areot.
Grain size : Length
8'8 rom.
2'g mm.
Breadth
2'0 mm.
Thickness
IIdt. 15 (mutallt from Adt. 4). This has be n obtained as a mutant from the
strain Adt. 4; gives an increased yield Of25 percent over ryots' bulk; grown
in Tanjore, Pattuk.:>ttai, parts of Tricbinopoly, Chingleput, South Arcot,
and Salem districts.
Adt. 16 (Konakuruvai). Isolated from Konakuruvai; gives !l5 percent increase
over ryots' bulk and yields 3,669 lb. per acre; grown in Kumbakonam,
Mayavaram, ShiyaH, Nannilam Negapatam, Mannargudi, parIJ of
Trichinopoly and Madura.
Grain rice : Length
1'7 mm.
Breadth
19 mtD
Tkicli.ness
15mm.

68 )
.Adt. 16 (Vellai krmroai). Isolated from Vellai kuruvai; Increase over local, 12
percent ; per acre yield 3,600 lb.; grown mainly in Musiri and Karur
taluks of Trichinopoly district and Namakkal in Salem district.
Grain siQ:
Length
6'1 mm.
3'0 mm,
Breadth
Thickness
2'0 mm.
Adt. 19 (Sarapalli). Isolated from Sarapalli. Increase over local, 19 percent;
acre yield 3,760 lb. ; grown mainly in Lalgudi, Musiri and Kulittalai taluka
of Trichinopoly district.
Grai" s~e: Length
7'9 mm.
Breadth
2'9 mm .
2omm .
Thickness
. STRAINS FOR SAMBA AND THALADI SEASONS
(WINTER RICES).
Sowing.

Samba.-July-August.
Thaladi.-August-September.
Planting, Samba-August-Septemb<:r.
Tbaladi.-Seplemher- Oeloher.
Adl. J (Red simmani). Isolated from red slYumani. Yields 16 percrnt. over
the local bulk crop; gives an acre yield of 3,023 lb. grown in Shiyali,
Mayavaram, Nannilam, Ncgapatam, Mannargudi, Tiruturaipundi and
parts of S()uth Areot; Mainly exported as parboiled rice 10 Ceylon.
emiTI si-te: Length
... 6'4 mm.
Breadth
... 3'1 mm.
Thickness
... 2'1 mm.
Adl, 2 (While SimmaTli). Isolated {rom white sirumaTli; gives 10 percent increase
over ryots' bulk and an acre yield of 2,624Ib; grown in all the taluks where
red simmoni is grown and in Cauvery-Mettur Project area; conlumed by richer classes.
Grain size: Length
5'6 rnm.
Breadth
2'9 mm,
Thickncsi
2'0 mm,
Grown as a Ihtzladi crop. Adi, 2; matures much earlier (150 days) than the
samba crop, but yields only 2,450 lb. per acre.
Adl.5 (Nellore samba), Isolated from Nelloro samba (big grained), Increased over
ryots' bulk is 25 percent; Yield. 2,790 lb. per acre; grown in Tanjore,
Papanasam, Mannargudi, Arantangi, Pattukottai and parts of Trichinapoly, Nellore, South Arcot, Coimbatore and Tinnevelly districts; exported
to Salem and Coimbatorc markets,
Grain sizl: Length
6'1 mm.
Breadth
3'1 mm.
2'0 mm.
Tbicknell

( 69
,Adt.8 (hybrid slrain). This is a hybrid strain from a erosa between _Iagu lamba
and whitejirumani; give" 8 percent increase overwhitejirumalli. Average acre
yield is 11,863 lb. grown in all taluks of Tanjore, parts of Triehinopoly,
North Arcot and Palghat taluk of Malabar, exported to Ceylon market
as parboiled rice.
Grain site :

Length
6omm.
Breadth
11'9 nun.
Thickness
2'0 mm.
Grown as a thaladi crop. Adl. 8; matures in 140 days and yields
per acre.

2,273

lb.

Adt. 10 (lcorangu Samba). Isolat d from Icorangu samba; Increase over

ryots' bulk 9 percent, yields 3,888 lb. pcr acrc; grown in all Talukus of
Tanjure; mostly exported to Central district as parboiled rice.
Grain size: Length
7'2 mm.
Breadth
3'0 mm.
Thickness
11'0 mm.
Adt. II. (Nellore Samba). Isolated from Nellore samba (small grained). Increased
over ryots' bulk, 6 percent; yields ptl acre 3,438 lb., grown in all taluks of
Tanjore and Trichinopoly and parts of Guntur, Nellof(', Chinglcput, Salem,
Coimbatore, Madura, Tinnevelly and Palghat of Malabar.
Graill siu : Length
7'4 mm.
Breadth
11'8 mm.
Thickness
l'g nun.
Grown as a thaJadi crop, duration is reduced (165 days) and yields only
2,183 lb. per acre.
Adt. 13. (sanna samba). Isolated from sanna samba. Increase over local 7 percent.
Acre yield 3,073 lb.; grown in Kumbakonam Mayavaram, Mannargudi
and parts of Trichinopoly district.
Blmm.
Grain siu: Length
1I6mm.
Breadth
Thickness
I'g mm.
Adt. 17 (muthusamba). Isolated from mulhusamba. Increase over local 10 percent.
Acre yield 3,700 lb.; grown mainly in parts of South Arcot District.
Gram siu: Length
7'8 nun.
Breadth
3'4 nun.
2 ' 11 mm.
Thickness
LONG DURATION SAMBA STRAINS (used in Udu eultivalioll).
Sowing : Third week of June.
Adt. 6 (red otladan). Isolated from red ottadan. Increase over ryots' bulk 13
percent. Yield per acre l,g60 lb.; grown in most of the taluks of Tanjore
and Chindambaram in South Arcot.

( 70
Graill

me

Length
Breadth
Thickness

77 1DlD
So mm.
2'0 mm.

Adt. 7 (while ottadan). Isolated from while ottadan. Increase over ryots' bulk
13 percent. Yield per acre 2,033 lb.; grown in most of the taluks of TaDjore and Chidambaram of South Arcot.
Grain s~: Length
7.6 mm.
Breadth
3.0 1DlD.
2.0 mm.
Thickness

N. B.-Udu.-mixed cropping of a short duraLion variery like Adt. 3 and

long duration variery, Adt. 6.

MARUTERU SAMALKOTA AND ANAKAPALLE.

Bobbiliganti I. Early maturing and high yielding; suited to high lying and
heavy soils; Grain, short and coarse; Rice, dull white; Acre yield 2,320 lb.
Sunkisannllm 5. Early maturil\g and high yeildingj suited to high lying and
lighter soils; Grain, fine; Rice, white; Acre yield 2,290 lb.
GUmJpur Sa tnam 47. Early maturing and high yielding; suited to heavy soils;
Non-Iod ~ing; Grain, medium si;tcj Rice, pearly whitc; Good table ricc;
Acre yield 2,856 lb.
MyjJ4li 7. Heavy yielding; suited to all types of soils; grown extensively in
Vizagapatam district; Grain, medium coarse; Rice, dull white; Acre
yield 2,g81 lb.
Mypali So. Heavy yielding and late matudng suited to heavy, low-lying soil4;
Grain, coarse; Rice, light rcd; Acre yield 3, 150 lb.
Baahunda I. Heavy yielding and late maturing ; suited to all types of soils;
Rcsists drought; Grain, medium; Rice, pearly white; Acre yield 2,912 lb.
Nauakotisannam 3. Heavy yielding and late maturing; partial to heavy soils;
Grain, medium fine; Rice, pearly white; Acre yield 2,675 lb.
Ratnachudi 9. Late type suited to lighter soils; Grain, medium fine; Rice, white;
One of the best table rice varietics; Acre yield 2,550 lb.
Maharajabhogam 4. Late type, suited to heavy low-lying soils; Grain, short and
fine; very good table rice; Acre yield 2,535 lb.
Bangarutheega g. Late type suited to heavy soils; Grain medium ; Rice, white;
Acre yield 2,622 lb.
Ballgarutheega 9. Similar to above, but tendency for awning is more pronounced
in this; ACl"e yield 2,622 lb.
Rasangi 26. One of the popular early varieties in the main crop season, fares well
under adverse conditions; Acre yield 2,624 lb.
Basangi 33. Suited to rich lands where late varieties are liable: to lodge; Rice,
ycry light broWD; Acre yield !l,200 lb.

( 71

Basangi 61. Grain fine; rice white and as fine 3.3 G. E. B. 24; Acre yield
12,657 lb.
Punasa K01Ulmani 2. Grain coarse; rice white; Heavy yielder under favourable
conditions; Acre yield 3,268 lb.
Punasa Konamani 83. Grain finer than that of the above; Rice white, popular
in heavy soils of Central D Ita of the Godavari and R amachandrapuram
taluks; has yielded 4.000 lb. and more per acre in the district; Acre
yield ::\,200 lb.
Palagumma.rari 7. Medium duration similar to P. K. 2; Grain coarse; Rice white
and excellent.
Punasa Akkullu 3. Widely cultivated in the Godavari delta; thrives well on
poor and somewhat saline or low lands; Grain coarse; Rice white; Acre
yield :.j, 158 lb.
/(onamani A. Once most popular variety in the Godavari delta, but now
slightly replaced by other varieties. Acre yield 3,065 lb.
Garikasannauari 6. Largely grown in 2nd crop sea~on (January to May); Grain
coarse-; Rke, white; Acre yield 2,407 lb.
Local l:arudan samba. A heavy yidder, yielding 3.600 lb. per acre; Widely
grown in South Arcot Districts; Grain size: 8'0 mm. length, 3'0 mm.
breadth and 2'2 mm. thiclmcs.,.
1134B. It is a blast resistant variety and a very heavy yielder. Duration of the
crop is 160 days and gives about 20 percent. more yield over local Molakolukulu. It comes to harvest in the middle of January. Rice is a bit
coarser than Molakolukulu.
logg8. It is a blast resistant variety. Duration of the crop is 160 days and
gives about 12 percent more yield than local Molako/ukulu. It gives finer
rice than Molakolukulu and is harvested in the middle of January.
ORISSA

Bad.rabhog. Fine scented paddy, medium late.

Benibhog. Early fine, Aus paddy.
Dadkhana. Fine, table paddy, generally fed to patients, as it is easily digestible.
Safttfjira . Finest scented, attractive flavour, best for pulaw.
Tul.rifol. Early coarse, high yielding.
Kankesal. Medium type.
Cuttack No. /. Coarse, yields upto 35 mds. Best for beaten and puffed rices.
Cuttack NO.2. Medium, yields upto 40 mds. Rice appreciated by middle and
poor classes.
Cuttack NO.3. Medium fine, yields 42 mds. per acre.
Cuttack NO.5. Late, can withstand water logging.
HYDERABAD
Paddy Hirnayatsagar No. 263. It is a selection from a local variety of paddy
called Gandhornilcoo. Its period of growth is 125-13.5 days, and at can be

72 )
grown in both Abi (Kharif ) and Tab; (Rabi) seasons, in the same year.
The colour of the rice !,;Tam is white and its cunsistency opaque. The
grain is coarse.
Paddy Himoyatsagar No. 504. It is a selection from a local variety of l-'addy,
called RamaBanolu. Its period of growth is 120-125 days, and it can
be grown in both Abi and Tabi seasuns, in the same year. The colour
of tbe rice grail) is white tv dull white and its consistency translucent. The
grain is finer than that of No. 263.
ASSAM
Aman (Deep Water Paddy).

(13'20). I t belongs to the Katybagdar class of the Loki group.

It is a white kerndled, fine and long grained awnless strain, having husks
of straw colour with faint brown furrows. It matures in 6'7 months.
It is ready for harvest by the end of October or early November. It
yields a bout 30'35 mds. per acre. It grows comfortaLly in 5-7 feet
of water. If the rise at any particular period is not 100 abrupt, it can
stand even 7-0 feet or more. Due to its ripening early it is preferable to
grow it on the edges of haors so as to facilitate harvesting.
Hbj. Amon 2 ( 192). It belongs to the Laki group. An almost white kernelled,
straw coloured, awnless and long grained strain which matures in
8 months. It is ready for harvest by about the later parlS of November.
It is very prolific and yields about 35-4-0 maunds per acre. The outtum
is much bigher under favourable conditions. It grows in 8-10 fect of water
or more if water rise is not too abrupt.
Hbj. Amon 3. (38-13). It belongs to the Gowai group. It is a red kcrnelled,
awned and medium grained strain. The husks are of dull straw colour
and the awns are brown. It matures in 8-9 months and is ready for barvest
by the end of November or early December. It yields about 30-35 maund.
per acre. It can stand 10-12 feet of water and is suitable for low-lying
situations.
Boro (Spring paddy ).
Hbj. Boro I (Bi ll) . It belongs to the Khaiaboro or boro group and is a somewhat
coarse grained and awned paddy with red kernel. Tbe husk is straw
coloured with prominent blackish brown furrows. It is an early strain,
having a low water requirement. If transplanted by the first week of
January, it is ready for harvest by the middle of April. The average yield
is about 30-35 maunds per acre. When properly irrigated, yields of over
45 maunds may be easily expected.
Lolarnaguri. Good yield on soft soils.
]ohorj. Erect habit, good for fried rice.
Bengalijoha. Very fme rice with high yield.
Badshahbhog. Extremely fine scented rice for table use.
Hbj. Arnall

73

Kmali (Assam ~osses). Coane grain, high yield.

Vijoysali. Coane grain, high yield.
Sali Padd.J or Winler riCI ~op.
(Transplanted paddy)
Prosadbhog. It is the most popular variety in the Assam Valley and its cultivation has extended far and wide; it is an early ripener and heavy yielder.
The grains arc of medium size. The milling quality is good and it growl
on a lmost all kinds of sali land.
B(l(J:.hahbhog. It is the finest variety of paddy, an early ripener and beavy
yielder.
I t requires a medium high land .
Laodomora. A coarse variety, high yielder, late ripener, having a good milling
quality. It requires a low land but it is slightly susceptible to Rice Stem
Borer.
Kanaimuluk. A coarse variety, high yielder, late ripener. Requires a low-lying
area.
Latamaguri. A coarse variety, a high yielder, and early ripener. Its milling
quality is not very good.
Bbj. Bora II (B 43 ). It belongs to the Tupa group. It is straw coloured and
short awned strain, giving white, medium and scented rice. It elongates
on cooking. It has a compara tively higher water-requirement than
Khaiaboro and responds very well to irrigation. When water is applied just
before flowering, yield of over 45 maunds may be expected. It is slightly
susceptible to drought. If transplanted by abou t the first week of January,
it is ready for harvest towards the end of April. Its normal yield is about
35-40 maunds per acre.
Hbj. Bora 3. (8 78). It belongs to the Sali bora group. It is a white, medium
grained, straw coloured and awnless strain. It gives white and somewhat
fine scen ted rice which cooks well . The grain elongates on cooking.
The quality orthe rice is better than the average in bora paddy. It is erect
in habit and has a higher water requirement than the boro group. It is
somewhat susceptible to drought and responds remarkably well to irrigation
specially just before flowering. With adequate water supply, yields of
30-35 percent. above the normal can be expected. Under average conditions it yields about 30 maunds per acre. If transplanted by the first week
of January, it is ready for harvest towards the end of April.
It is nonshedding in character.
Ahu paddy or Autumn rice.
Rangaduria. Medium red kernel, good yield in all soils.
Kataklara. Fine rice, grows well on alluvial soil.
Kaimurali. Medium rice, grows well in all soils.
B4S1ICali. Fine transplanted Ahu, requires fertile soil.

74
Malbhog . It is a recent introduction. A high yielder and an early ripener~
The grains are white and of medium size.
Dumai. Very early ripener but a poor yielder. It is generally recommended
for the flood affected areas.
MuraU, Fapori, Kachalot. These are all red-kernelled.
ASTa Paddy.
Salibada, La/d, Birpak. They are recommended for low-lying areas. More and
more demand is being created for this type of paddy. They arc all generally
high yielders.
Bora Paddy or Spring Rice. These are generally grown un d er irrigation. Th~
area under th is type of paddy is gradually being increased year aftet
year both with and without irrigation.
Habigafli Amon. No. I. 2 and 3. These are varieties of deep water paddy, evolved at the Habiganj Deep Wat~r paddy Farm. It is yet too premature
to comment upon the performance, though at the outset they look promising.
Dumai 13!l/6.
Cbengri '48 {t.
Murali 36 {go.
Murali 36/14.
Kaimurali M /'42.
Murali 175/1.
Murali 174/2.
Bansamati As. 3.
Kasalo! As. 2.
Arc. 353/148.
Sc. 671/16.
Sc. 638/3.
Latisail S. :22Kerrsail Sc. 94 /97
Nagrasail S. 56.
Vijoysail Sc. 56/60.
Dhepisail S. 161.
Badshabhog S. ISS.
Habiganj Amon 1.
Habiganj Amon II
Habiganj Amon III.
Boro 1.
Boro II.
Boro III.
MYSORE STATE
S. 661. This is a mutant isolated from G.E.B. 24 (a 8train evolved at Coim.
hatore. This strain is 3imilar to G.E.B. 114 in habit and grain fonnation;

75

but the grains are slightly coarser. It has given significantly better yields
than the mother variety; Grains, straw coloured and fin e; Colour of riCe is
white; Percentage of cice to paddy is about 52. This strain ha~ been tried
in several places in the state; especially in the rnalnads, both by broadcast
and transplanting methods. With the exception of a few places, it has given
uniformly higher yields than the local variety, tried alongside. This strain,
being decidedly fm er tban many of the malnadvarieties, fetches a high price
with the result it has found favour with the malnadraiyal.
S. 683 and S 6134. These are also mutants from G .E.B. 24. Grains of the
former are slightly shorter and stouter than that of the latter ; but both are
finer strailL5. They were tried in several places in the channel areas of
Mysore and Hassan and also in tank-fed areas of Bangalore. They have
invariably given better yields than the local varieties with a difference of
about 2-3 pallas per acre. In fact these arc the two main strains that are
under distribution in the channel aua of Mysore District.

S. 701 . This is a mutant with a very fine grain, yielding pearly white rice.
The growth of the plant is rather stunted compared with G.E.B. 24 and
the straw yield is poor. The grain is straw coloured, fine, awnless and full.
Rice looks very much like that of S. 246, but not curved. Percentage of rice
to paddy is about 52 . This strain goes by the name 'Brahmasale' in the
Mysore Market.
S. 699. A coarse grained mutant, giving on an average IS-16 pallas of grain per
acre. This may be grown wherever a medium coarse variety like C. O .
1 of the Coimbatore station is generally grown. It matures one week to a
fortnight earlier than the latter. Though this strain lodges, when grown
on rich soils, there is no fear of the graim shedding much. Rice is pearly
white and long and percentage of rice to paddy is S2.
Kernbuthi S. 67. A selection from local Sanna-kembrllhi, medium grained strain,
yielding 14-16 pallas of grain. The plant grows to a height of 4-S ft. The
straw is thick and hollow, slightly yellowish in colour. Straw, being somewhat pliable, the plants are liable to lodge. Grain, dark reddish brown and
awnless, but slightly tipped medium coarse and full. Rice is dull, wbite
and rather sweet. Percentage of rire to paddy is about So by volume. Harvesting should be done in time to avoid the rice breaking, while milling.
This strain has given significantly better yields than the local variety, tried
alongside. Generally grown in Nanjanagud, Krishnarajnagar. Hcggadadevanakote, Holenarasipur, and Arkalgud taluks, where the raryals
prefer a paddy with a good amount of straw for the cattle. This strain is
known as December Kembulhi in some places; slowly spreading in Malnad
areas also.
Jraddi. S. 139. A selection from Mysore kaddi, sttitable for the sanle area as
S. 67; Does well on soils of le$s than average fertility ; Grows to a height of

{ 76
5.5 ft.; Straw thicker than that of S. 67 and hollow; Leaf blades long and
broad; Plants lodge owing to heaviness of earheads but the grains do not
shed under ordinary conditions. Grain is awnless, straw coloured with
slight brown spots, coarse and nearly
times as big as that of S. 67 and
is full. Rice is white and percentage of rice to paddy is 50. This strain haa
been reported to be giving over lIO pallas in Heggadadevanakote taluk.
It is locally known as select kaddi or Farm "addi in some localities.
Nagapuriranna. S. 236, S. 246. These are strains from Naga~ursanna or Muthina sanna as locally called. Plants grow to about st-4i ft. and arc fairly
good. Owing to weak straw the plants lodge even at the milk stage. The
grains are liable to shed if not harvested just when ripe. They are very
fioe slender, proportionately IOllg and Slightly curved with a tendency to
awn and not quile full. Rice is pearly white, and it takes good polish and
fetches good prices. Percentage of rice to paddy is 46. These strains are
largely grown in Seringapatam and French-rocks taluks. They have also
been tried in various places in the Stale including MaInad. Their lodging
and shedding habit Btand in the way of spreading. The difference betwe=
S. ~36 and 1146 is that the grain of the former is slightly yellowish and that
of the latter, straw coloured and more appealing to the eye.
Patlasom~mahalli sanna . S. 476. A selection from Patta.romanahalli SIJnna, also
known as Kempwanna, better suited for poor soib> and in rich soils a large
quantity of straw is produced at the expense of the grain. Plants grow to a
height of 41 /. to 6 ft. Straw i, pale yellow when green. Grain is brown in
colour, medium, fairly full, rather plumpy and has a tendency to awn.
Rice is white and takes fairly good polish. Perceutage of rice to paddy is
48. Crop matures in about the same time as S. 139.
Sakalalhi. S. 590. A selection from Sakalalhi or Haladi sanna. Growth and
habit of the plant are similar to those of S. 476; but the grams are finer,
slender and long, though not quite full. Glumes are yellowish brown in
colour. Colour of rice is pearly white. Percentage of rice to paddy u
47; Matures 15 days earlier than S. 476.
Ghanasale. S. lI6g. Those who require a selection that does not shed under
ordinary conditions even if the crop is allowed to remain on the fields for
few days more than necessary, are recommended to try this strain from
Ghafzasale. It gives a fairly good yield of 19-15pallas. Being a poor tillerer,
close planting should be adopted to obtain good results. The grains do not
falloff easily while threshing. In fact it require.' more men to thresh it
clean than in the case of other paddies. It is advantageous to stock the
sheaves for a month or two before threshing, as this will enable the grain
to break off easily. The grain which is straw coloured slightly coarse when
compared with that of G.E.B. 24 has a tendency to awn; rice is white in
colour; percentage of rice to paddy is 50. This strain seems to have a good
Cu ture in the Malnad.

It

( 77
Alltrsanna (Fine). S. 197, S. 199. TIlese are selectiom from Alur Fim, maturing in four months, after transplantation, and recommended for tank-fed
areas and also for channel areas infested with wild paddy. These "trains
mature much earlier than the wild paddy and as such the undesirable
contamination of the weed seed. is avoided. These have bel"n found to do
well even in the Malnad, where on account of th..-ir early maturity, a good
crop is assured, even if late rain.~ fai]. Plants grow to a he-ight of about
fl. and lodge. But the grains do not ordinarily shed . Grain is straw
coloured, medium, and long: tipped and fairly full. Rice is white; percentage of rice to paddy is 48; yields are as much as that of G.E.B. 24,
tried a long side. These strains arc not suited for summ er cond itions.
Bhallgarlr.addi S. 705. This has been tried in vari ous plaas during the summ ers
of 1937-38 and 193B-39 in the Taiyat" fields, and throughout it< performance
has been very encCluraging. It is an all-season variety; but gives higber
yield under summer conditiuns. On aa average it yields from IB-2~ pallas
per acre as a summer crop; but it has bern repurted to have given yields
of over 30 pallas in some' villages in Madhugiri and TlImkur taluks. Its
yield during tbe rainy season obtained on the Paddy Breeding Station was
12-14. pallas.
Plant grows to about
ft. height and ordi narily does nOt
longe . Padny is brown coloured and medium sized. very much like that of
S. 476. Rice is dull white and flinty. Percentage of rice to paddy is 52.
Crop matures in three month~, after transplan~ation.
Chintamani sarma. S. 547. Matures in 3 ~ months from the date of transplantation
and is suitable mainly for summer. In good soil it grows to a height of
to 5 ft. It has been tried in many place! in the Tumkur district. It is
reported to have given 32 pallas per acre against 20 of the local variety in
some places. The general yields vary from 13 to 22! pallas according
to soil; yields good quantity of straw also. Grain is medium, fine and long
glumes deeply furrowed rather thick and light brownish yellow in colour.
Rice is light brown. P..-rcentage of rice to paddy is only 45.
Halubbalu . s. 3 17. A sdection from Halubbalu giving !l to 3 pallas more than
the local kar padd y. It may be grown as a rainy season crop also; but its
yields aTe generally poor. Grain is medium sized and straw coloured and
rice dull white. Percentage of rice to paddy is 52.5.
f'tlaMrwsanna S. 396. A selection from TtlandursallM, suitable for all seasons
as in the case of S. 705. The yield varies from 10 to 12 pallas. Plants are
dwarf in stature and non-lodging. Grains are straw coloured and very
coarse. Rice is dull white. Percentage of rice to paddy is 52 5.
The
crop matures in three months from the date of planting.

4-!

31

4!

SIND
Kangni '].7. It is a selection from local Kangni, yields about

20 p.c. more than

the local, non-scented, high yielding ( 20 maund! per acre ) mediUlll ripener
(about roo days), very suitable for par-boiling.

78
Jagai 77. Scented, high quality and Hne rice, good yielder, gives about 14%
increase in outturn than the local, late ripener (about 115 days.)
Prong 36. Scented, high yielder, late ripener (about 120-125 days),
produces 30% more grain than the local.
Bmgalo. Scented, high quality and fine ric, good yielder, rather late (about
120 days),
comjJal'es well with Jagai 77 only that this is slightly less
scented and size of the grain is a bit longer tban Jagai 77.
Silver Jubilee. Cross between Kllngni and Kolumba 184, having larger numher
of grains per acre than Kangni :17, superior in quality to Kangrli 27. It is
non-scented, heavy yielder and medium ripener.
Hybrid 34-267-51. Another strain from Kangfli 27 and Columba 104; fair yi 'Ider
but very late ripener in quality; non-scented.
Hybrid 16-1-28. Cross be tween Torh and Kllngni 27, high yidder; Unlike Torh
grain does not shed after ripening; specially recommended for growing in
Alkaline lands; latcr ripener (about 120-125 days) non-scented and coar~e
rices.
SOflhllri. Scented and quality rice, good yielder, rather late.
Sada Gu/ab. Scented and quality rice, good yielder, rather late.
Torh. Non scented and coarse rice; late ripener, heavy tmering capacity, grows
well in Alkaline land. Grain shed~ after maturity.
Lori. Non-scented and coarse rice; late, colour red; heavy yielder.
New type 'Y' This variety is very suitable filr lower Sind. It yields more than
the local ~trains and is superior in quality. It has become very popular
in Hydcrabad district.
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Richharia, R. H. (1943). P"sonai Communications.
Richharia, R. H. and Saran, A. B. (1943) Pmonal CommunictJIions.
Roy, S. C. (1921). A preliminary classification of the wild rices of the Central
Provinces and Berar. Agric. J. India, 16 : 365-380.
Saran, A. B. (1943). Pmonal communications
Sethi, B. L. (1937). Cytological studies in paddy varieties. InditJn J. tJgrie. Sri.,
7 : 687-,06.
Sethi, R. L. (193'. The clauification of cultivated rioe in the VaMcl
Provinces. Pro,. 17. IndilJfl Sri.
(4p),

Co"".

4'.

Sethi, R. L. (1931). Root development in rioe under different OODditiOlll

of growth. Mem. Dlpt . .A.gric. India (Bot. Ser.),.1 : 57-80.
Sethi, R. L. and Saxena, B. P. (1930)' M"" .. DI/JI .A.gric. India (Boa. Srr.),.1
(No.6.)
Sethi, R. L. and Saxena, B. P. (1931). Classification and stu:ly of characten
of the cultivated rices in the United Provinces. Mm. Dlpt .A.gric. 1_
(Bot. S".), I I : 149-1110.
Sethi, R. L. Sethi, B. L. and Mehta, T.R. (1936 a). Earliness in the United
Provinces rices. InditJn J. agric. Sci.,6 : 361-376.
Sethi, R. L. Sethi, B. L. and Mehta, T. R. (1936 b). Inheritance ofearHneu
in United Provinces rice, I. Indian J. 4Irie. Sci.,' : JRi-1R73.
Sethi, R. L. Sethi, B. L. and Mehta, T. R.. (1937). Awnedneu and its inheri
tance. InditJII J. agric. Sci., 7 : S8g-600.
Sethi, R.. L. Sethi, B. L. and Mehta, T. R.. (1938). Inheritance of earlinea in
United Provinces rices, II. India J. 4,",. Sri., : l-liO.
Sharngapani, S. G. (19114 a). A few obtervatlona on paddy crc.in&. hoe.
10

IlIditm Sci.

CO"".,

19R.

Sharngapani,S.G. (19!l4b).Afew obtervatioDl onpaddy (O",uIISriH) ~

.A.grie. J. IruIi4, II : .f3-so.
Sherrard, G.C.(J9110). A.ummaryoftheexperimentsoll ricein Biharpd
On... from 19111 to 1919' .Aerie. Ru.IM. Pula, Bull., II.
Tamhane, T.A. (1936) .A.NIIIIIIl RIp. DI/J.""v. SiIt4, 1tM-S5 : 88.
Thadani., K. I. (19R9). Pqreu of rice-breecliQB in S~. ~ ~
Sri.
as.
Thadani, K.I. (1140) .......... ",, .....
104-

eo...

..,.1'ft'H8 :

( '86 )

Thadani, K. I. and Dutt, H. V. D. (19118). Studies on rice in Sind, Part I.

Mem. Dept. Agric. India (Bot. S".), 15: 1I3-159
Thompstone, E. (1915)' Some observations on Upper Burma paddy (grown
under irrigation). Agric. J. India, 10: 26-33.
Tin, U. (1936). Developmental variation in the paddy grain. India" J. a~ric.
Sci., 6 : 396-459.
Venkataraman, K. (1926).

Rice improvement work

in Burma.

agric. J., 14 : 277-283

Venkataraman, K. (1929) . Some experiences in rice-bre~ding.
Indian Sci. COII~r., (agric.) , 34.

AJadras

Prof.

16:

BlBUOGRAPHY B.
[J'ngal (1909-10). AUJ, Madoi, early or summer paddy (ricr).
Bengal (1913-14.)' Brngali translation of Rowaru's paper on the improvemellt
of yield.

Bmgal (1932-33). The classification of East Bengal paddies.

Bengal (1932-31 ). A leaflet on paddy.
BiMr (1929) . l'nprovC'd paddies for Orissa .
BiMr (1929). Varieties of paddies which have been fonnd to be suitabk for
growing in South-East Bihar Range.

Bi/rJlr (1931). Dalila paddy of Orissa.

BiMr (1932). Improved varities of paddies recommended for Orissa.
Btnnbay (1916). The cultivation of drilled paddy in South Bombay Presidency.
Bombay (1920). Rice cultivation in the Larkana District, Sind.
Bombay (1922). Cultivation of Rill paddy of ,'arkas lands in the Northern
Konkan.

'

Btnnbay (1923). Studies 'on the rice plant and on rice cultivation.
Bombay (19 2 6- 2 7). The Kolamba rice of the North Konkan and its improvement by selection : by R. K. Bhide and S. G. Dhalerao.
Btnnbay (1927). Some useful types of paddy for the Kanara District.
Btnnbay (19 28 ). Excellent rice variety (Kolamba No. 42) : What it is and
where to get it.

Btnnbt!1 (1930). Ec~omy' of rice seed and the p~per method of raising rice
~ecilings in Kanara.

BtnnbtIJ (1931). Improved strain of Kolamba rice for North Konkan.

Bombay (1933). Improved rice strains for the Ratnagiri District.
Bom/uf1r (1934). Improved strains of the rice for theMalad tract of the Bomabay-

Kamatak.
Btnnbay (1935). Improved Itrains of rice for the coutal tract of the North
Canala District.
.
.

*0riIsa has aioce been leparated from Bihar.

* *Sind has ~ ~. lep&!ed from. BGm~y -Preaidency.

, I

87 )
(1936). Improvement of rice in the Bombay Karnatak, Part J'Selections in the Mugad and Antar.fal varieties of paddy.
Madras (1911-12). A dialogue on single planting of paddy.
Madras (1911-12). Improvements in paddy cultivation rccommendf"d by theDepartment.
Madras (191~1. What th" ryot has to say about the single seedling of planting
of paddy.
Madras (191:3). Single seedling transplanting of paddy.
Madras (1922-23.1923). Summary of results of eltperimenL! on paddy conducted
at Manganallur Station: by N. S. Kulandaswami.
Madras (1925-26). Rice Hispa.
Madras (1927-28), A not .. on vari!'tirs of paddy grown in the Samalkota
Experimental Station : by A. C. Edmonds.
Madras (192R-29). Points to note in preparing dry seed beds for paddy: by
N. Sitaramaswami.
Malkas. (19:iO-31). NOll' on pure paddy seed: VIII Circle.
Madras (193"-31). Note on pure paddy seed: VI Circle.
Madras (1931). Note on pure paddy seed: I Circle: by A. C. Edmonds,
Madras (19:'1'). Note on purl' paddy seed : VIn Circle : hy R. C. Broadfoot.
Madras (1~)31). Note on pure paddy seed: VI Circle: by R. Ramayya.
Madras (1931). Some suggestions to the ryots of the IV Circle to obtain and
keep paddy seed pure: hy M. Govindakidaru.
Madras (19:P). Pure paddy seed: n Circle: by D. Barkrishnamurti.
Madras (1931). Hints to the ryots of Trichinopoly and Tanjore Districts in
kt'eping up the purity of paddy SCf"ds : by N. S. Kulandaiswami Pillai.
Madra., (1931). Telugu song. on improved m!'thod of paddy cultivation: by
D. Balakrishnamurti Garu.
Madras (1932). Pure paddy seed: VII Circle: by K. T. Alwa.
Madras (1932-33). What the ryot should do in Malabar and South Kanari to
produce pure paddy.
lJtulras (1933). Maintenance Rnd preservation of pure paddy seed in the Ceded
district: by K. T. Alwa.
Mtulras (1935-:36). Descriptive notes on improved strains from important
varieties of paddy evolved at the Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru.
Madra.f (1936). Descriptive notes on improved strains from important varieties
of paddy: by K. Ramiah. .
Madras (1936-37). Descriptive notes on improved strain. of paddy, evolved at
the Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru.
Mysor. (1939). Paddy cultivation in Mysore : by S. V. Sharma.
Mysor,. Experiments on paddy cultivation.
SiM (1931-gil). Improved varieties of rice for Sind.
Sirrd (1933"34)" The cultivation of Kanpi rice in Karachi Diatrict.

~ombay

(88
SiU (1934-35)' Early rice transplanting in the Barraie areD-ita importance
and advantages.
.

Si,," (1937-381.The cultivation of Ktlllgm rice in the Karachi District ("vis.

dilion).

rr41laN:are. A note on the effect of sodium chloride 00 the germination of

paddy seeds.
Trllv!l'l~''''. A note on viability tests conrlucted with shade-dried germinated
seeds of paddy variety-Samba.
Travancofl. A note on the shock-reaction phenomenon coo'lequeot upon the
frequent lifting and transplanting of seedling raised from selected seeds
of Va..'ramundan paddy.
TravalfC~". A note on tbe emergence ofpanide~ in the variety, Vflsiramundan.
TravancDre. A note on the performance of Ory-ta slIliva. "arplena under different
field conditions.
Uniud ProviN:/!S. Cultivation of Jarhan Rice.
Unikd Provinces. Instruction [or showing improved varieties of rice seed : by
R. L. Sethi.
Ulliud ProviN:~s. Paddy cultivatit)n in Canal Tracts.

CHAPTER II

OIL SEEDS
No other country in th world produces such a variety of
oil seeds, in commercial quantities as India does. There are
over 125 kinds (J[~ eds which are used for extracting oils. These
seeds are either btained from natural sources or cultivated.
Breeding, g.?"nctical and cytological investigation have been
carried out on the following crops :
Linseed, L inum usitatissimum Linn. 2n = 30.
Mustards, Brassica species. 2n=20, 36.
Taramira, Eruca sativa Mill. 2n=22.
'esame, S$samu1n orientale Linn. 2n=26.
Ground-nut, Arachis hypogaea Linn. 2n=40 .
C conut, Cocos nucifera Linn. 2n=32.
C,\stor, Ricinus communis Linn. 2n=2G.
Niger, Gui~otia a'Jyrsinica Casso 2n=30 .
.lfftow_,r, Carthamus tinctorius Linn. 2n=24.
C:lrang p:lnglm, PJngamia glabra Vent. 2n=22.

LINSEED
L :num Linn. L. usitatissimum Linn. Linaceae.
Its origin is considered to be probably west Asia. In India
it has been in cultivation from pre-historic times. The plaht
is cultivated in this country as a source of oil seed only. *
It is known by various names: Alsi (Oentral Provinces,
Punjab, United
Provinces),
Jawas
(Bombay, Central
Provinces), Aoli-virai (Madra, in Tamil), Arisi (Madras,
in Telugu).
C lass ification. The Indian linseeds fall into two main
classes, (1) strains native to Peninsular India, characterised by
bold seeds, a deep root system and a somewhat procumbent
habit and (2) the forms, native to th,e Gangetic alluvium,
characterised by small seeds, a shallow root system and a. stiff
*See pp. 96-97.

90
erect stem.
The bold-se ded types are said to possess a higher
oil-content than the small-seeded types, but they do not grow aT
yi eld well in the North Indian plains; as their Toot system is
not adapted to th soil conditions or this tract (Pal , 1934).
H :)ward and Khan (1923) classifi >d the linseed material,
collected from all over the country, into 12 3 types, whereas
Shrivastava ( 1937) analys d th Central Provinces material
into sixty unit~.
B'reeding. As a result of selection and hyhrid iz ation,
strain~ givin g high yields and hi gh oil perc(,l1tages have heen
introduced in differ nt linseed growing provinces, as reC'Orded
on page 98. Two strains, viz., No. 3243 and No. 3255, establi~hed
in thl! C ~ nt ral Provinces (M 'lhta, 1934, Shrivastava, 1936) and
four strains viz., No ' . 11 50, 1206, 483 and 11 93, establisl l c..l in
the United Provinces (Sabnis, 1939), as a res ult of hybridi zation, deserve mention.
Howard and Khan (1923) record the following correlation
of characters: A white corolla with- white or blu e filaments,
white or blue anthers, white or blue styles, yellow, fav.n or
brown seeds and small or bold seeds; A blue coroll a with-white
or blue filaments, white 01: blu anth rs, white or blue styles,
fawn or brown seeds and small, medium or bold seeds; A IiI ac
or purple corolla with--bluc filaments, blue or white anthers,
blue styles, fawn or brown seed and small or bold s cds.
Genetics. The inheritanc of the following seven characters
in Indian types of linseed has bt:en investigated in d tail by
Shaw, Khan & Alam (1931)
1. Petal-colour.
2. Crimped petals.
3. Seed colour.
4. Anth r colour.
5. Style c lour.
6. Filament colour.
7. Stigma colour.
Th y have showh that the development of various colours
in diff~rent parts of the flower is controlled by d finite mende-

(. 91

lian factors. Crosses were made between the best smallseeded and bold-s eded types, chiefly with a vicw to combine the
bold-seeded character p culiar to the varieties grown in Pen in.!!ular India and a shallow Toot-system and vegetative habit
peculiar to the Gangetic plain, to evol ve a type of good yield
and high oil-content for Northern India. The bold-seeded types
have been considered to possess a higher oil-content than the
small-seeded typ s. Inheritance of other characters, referred
The genetic
to above, was also simultaneously studied.
constitution of the seven different types used in th se crosses was
represented as follows :
Type 1. BB CC dd EE FF KK NN tt ~lZ1 Z2Z2 HH
RR PP ii gg MM xx.
T~pe
8 .. BB CC DD EE FF KK NN tt ZlZl ZZZ2 HH
RR pp ii gg MM xx.
Type 11. BB CC DD
ff KK DD TT Z1Z1 Z2Z~ HH
RR PP ii gg MM XX.
Type 12. bb CC DD EE FF KK NN tt Z l Zl Z2 z, HH
RR PP II GG MM xx.
Type 22. BB CC DD ee FF kk NN tt Z l Z1 Z2Z2 ,HH RR
PP II GG MM xx.
.
Type 121. BB CC DD EE ff KK NN tt . Z1Z1 Z2Z2 HH
RR PP II GG MM xx.
Type 124. bb CC DD EE FF KK NN tt Z1Z1 Z2Z2 HH
RR PP ii gg Jlun xx.
B-A factor which acts with C to produce pink c?l?ur
in the petals.
C -A factor for colour in the p tals which acts with B to
produce pink.
D -A factor which modifies ' pink colour in the petal to
lilac. In th absence of B and the pr sence of E , D
causes a faint tinge of blue in an otherwise white pe:tal.
E-A fac~or which intensifies colour in the petal.'
F-A factor which dilutes pink olour in the ' p tal so that in
the presence of F lilac is' modified to 'blue and pink ~ ii
diluted. to white with a -pink ting . .
:'1

EE

( 9t )
K-A factor which distributes the colour evenly all over th~
petal and also inlensifiesil when either E or F is pr sent.
In the absence of K , colour is deeper in the upper half
of the petals, and b comes paler in the lower half.
When E and F are both absent, K does not act as an
intensification factor.
N -A factor which reduces the intensity of colour in the
petal.
T ....A factor which rest'ricts blue colour in the filament to
the distal r gion immediately below the anther.
Zl-A factor which produces blue colour in the filament
if B, C and K and either E or F are also present.
Z2~A

factor which operates in the same way as Z l produces

blue colour in the filament. If eith r Zl or Z. is
present, together with B, C , K and either E or F the
filament is blue.
H -A factor which produces blue colour in the anthers
when Band D are also present.
R -A factor which produces blue colour in the style if B,
C , K and either E or F are also present.
P-A factor which produces pink colour in the stigma if
Band C are also present.
If in addition to these
three factors D is also pres ot the stigma is purple.
I -A factor which .inhibits colour in the stigma.
G - A factor for grey colour in the seed-coat.
M -A factor which acts with D to produce fawo colour
in the seed coat; if G is also present the fawn colour
is converted to brown. In the absence of G and if
either M .or D is also absent, the colour of the !U:.edcoat is yellow.
X-A factor which intensifi s colour in the seed, converting
fawn to dark fawn and yellow to dark yellow.
Seed-colour is cntrolled by presence or absence of factors
D, M and G and the factor X intensifies the already existing
colour. Yellow is considered the basal colour. The following

{ 93 )
diagram illustrates their action.
flower-colour.

D. Fawn

Factor D also determines

Fawn

fMD-- - F a w n - - -G-B,own

~ I Md--Yellow- -G-

;::::

Y cHow

md- - Yellow--

Brown) >-

Brown
- Grey
Brown

>:: 1

1
(D.

Grey

;::::

~ ut
;:l 0

r D. Grey"')

1
1

Grey

~..,..,

en

....o .a0

>-

~11
1 01\

Blue colour in the anther is controlled by B, D and H factors.

(B and D also determin e petal- olour) . Petal-colour depenps on
at least seven hereditary factors, NBC D E F and K.
Crimp d petal is controlled by factors BCD and E. The
presenc of C D and E produces crimped p tals and absence of
anyone of them gives non-crimped. But factor B checks the formation of crimped forms, irrespective of the presence orabs nce of
other factors.
Filament colour is d pendent on three factors i.e., an inhibitory factor T which determines the extent of colour and duplicate factors Z, and Z.. Factors B C K and either E or F (petal
colour factors) are also needed for the appearance of any filament
() ur.
Style colour is controll d by the presence or absence of petal
factors B C K and either E or F . The style is blu only when
these factors ar .present. In the absence of anyone of the
factors B C and K and complete absence of E or F the
style-colour is white. According to the authors it is quite probable that there may be a s parate factor for the d ve10pment
of colour in style as well and that all the types considered her
are homozygous for thc.l factor. On this assumption they

9~

')

have put a factor R which produces colour in style 'in presence

of B C and K with either E or F.
The stigma colour is dependent on the factors BCD P
and I.
Be P produce pink colour and B C P D , the purple colour.
Factor I is an inhibitory factor which inhibits the colour
:;i velopment in stigma, turning it 'nto white, even in the presence
of B CD and P .
Linkag was noticed between the reduction factor N , controlling petal colour and factor I which inhibits colour in the
stigma, cross-over value being nearly 14 percent. and also between N and factor G for grey colour in the seed-coat with 15 percent. crossover value. Linkage was also found between
factors G and I with rather unexpected 9 percent, cross-over value
which is much higher, taking into consideration the small
difference between the cross-over values for factors N I and
N G . This difference may be attributed to such cases as slight
errors in classification and a limited population.
Linkage value between D & X was observed to be 18 percent.
Graham and Roy (1924) observed a mono-hybrid ratio in a
cross between blue-flowered X white-flowered types. The seedcoat colour in dark-brown seed X yellow-seed cross was also
determined by a single factor, the dark brown seed-coat being
dominant. Kadam, Kulkarni and Patel (1938) observed that
pale-blue and white colours are recessive to blue and segregate
in mono-hybrid ratio. They also record an xception to this
hypothesis.
Mahta (1934) observed threc to four factors affecting seedsize, length of stem and the time of maturity in linseed.
Pal (1934) records that crosses have been made at Pusa
between the indigenous types of linseed with the imported rustresistant flaxes to obtain a high-yielding and ru t-resistant variety.
In Fl the dominance of rust-resistance over susceptibility to rust
has been observed (Anon., 193~37) .
Deshpande and Mallik (1937) observed, in the Pusa linseed
hybrids, negative correlation between the oil-content and inten-

'iy of seed colour i.e., dark-seeded hybrids (brown and grey)

show a lower oil percentage than the light-seeded linseed (fawn
and yellow). The factor G is responsible for lowerin'g 'the oilcontent, Th authors did not notice any correlation between
oil-content and seed-size. They also record that seed-size
(weight and volume) is positively correlated with the seed colour
intensity and according to them the seed-colour factors D and
G appear to increase the seed-size. Graham and Roy (1924)
also record higher oil-percentage in white-seeded linseed than
that in the dark-seeded ones.
Crosses made at the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, New n~lhi, between two parents, both having white petals,
gave an Fl with blue petals and from the F. segregation it was
inferred that thr e factors are concerned in petal colour inheritance (Anon., 1936-37 ).
A yellow-tipped mutant (chlorophyll defici nt plant) found
in linseed, Pusa type 12, was crossed with the normal type. The
normal green was dominant in FI (Anon., 1936) . Further studi =s showed that there exists a single factor difference between
the normal and this mutant type (Anon., 1938). Deshpande
( 19 33) record ~ some more details regarding this mutant from
F sand F 3 generations. F 1 involving plant height, seed size and
seed weight showed that the height was approximateiy equal
to lhe average of the parents, bolder-seeded parent dominant,
and lhe seed weight slightly heavier than those of the heavierseeded parent (Anon., 1938).
Th phenomenon of partial dialysis of carpels in linseed has
been recorded by Vachhani and Deshpande (1942 ). From the
breeding behaviour, shown by th plants throwing out dialytic individuals, the authors infi r that this abnormality is an
inherited one, arising as a gene mutation of a retrogressive nature
and being perpetuated through plants heterozygous for this
condition.
With a vicw to evolve a dual-purpose crop, i.e., for oil seed
as well as for the fibre, crosses have been made between the
foreign flax varieties and the inc;ligenous linseed types at several

{ 96 )
re~arch

centres, but no success has so far been achieved in realising a really dual-purpose us ful variety.
Cytology. The somatic and meiotic chromosomes in some
varieties grown in the Central Provinces were examined by
R ichharia and Kalamkar (1939). The diploid numb r is found
to be 30. At late diakinesis and !-metapha e, fifteen bivalents
and at II-metaphase, fifteen univalents were observed.
Natural cros sing. The evid nce of natural crossing in
linseed was first recorded by Howard, Howard and Khan
(1910 a, b). The same authors (1918) record the perc ntag
of contaminati n to be 18, O. 43 and 0 during the year 1916,
1917 and 1918 respectively at Pusa (Bihar). Graham and Roy
(1924) observ d it a Little over 4 percent. at Nagpur ( 'ntral Provinces). Kadam, Kulkarni and Patel (1938) found the natural
crossing, varying from 0 to 675 percent. atKundewadi (Bombay).
Kumar and Patel (1940) observed an inverse relatio .ship b tween spacing and extent of natural crossing in linseed, closer
spacing increasing it. At Poona 34 % natural rossing occurred
when plants were spaced
to i" in rows 12" apart. But it
is reduced to 0,58% when th spacing is increased to 12" all
Tound (Kumar and Patel, 1940).
Acclimatization. In the Central Provin e s at Nagpur,
foreign flax varieties from America, Morocco, Russia, Ireland
.(Mahta, 1929, 31, 33; Shrivastava, 1935), Australia and
Argentina (Riehharia, 1938 a, 39, 40 a), were tri d,but results of
no practical value could be achieved. Similar observations
have also been reporled from Poona.
M iscellaneous. Bi(l/IJgy of flower. An account of the
biology of the flower and pollination m thods is given by Howard
and Khan (1923).
Root studies. Root studies and th eIt ct of differ nt manur s
on root d velopment were carri d out by Mahta ( 1934) and
Ravi Shankar (1936).
Fibre studies. As a substitute for flax, the possibiliti of
combining the production of linse d with that of flax fibr ,
have b!:en the subject of llumeroUs experim nts in this country

tIt

( 911 ')
for 'over a century, but no appreciable success has so far been
achieved.
The straw left after threshing out the linseed
crop, is either thrown away as waste matter or is burnt as fuel.
The utilisation of this part of the pla:t;lt is, therefore, an important
economic problem of India, sine cultivation of linseed in this
country exceec1s four million acres, yielding nearly, 1,000,000
tons of Straw.
Experiments conducted in this dirpction recently in the
Central Provinces (Richharia, 1938 a, b; 1939; 1940 a, b, c, and
1941 a, h, c, d) have shown that the Indian linseed plant, grown
for seed, is also capable of yielding a high-quality fibre. Richharia and Jha (1942) record the following percentages of fibre,
obtained in certain linseed varieties, grown in the Central Provinces and other parts of India. The extraction of fibre was done
by the dry-scutching process (R ichharia, 1940 c ), by employing
an especii'l.lly designed hand-machine (Richharia, J 94 ] c).
q

Fibre percmtage in different varieties oj linseed grown in the Ctntral

Provinces and elsewhere.

Varieties.
Local (Nagpur)
Local (Jubbulpore)
O . s .. X (1. C. R . V .)
E . B. 3 (I. C. R. 1.)
No. 3255 (1. C. R. VI )
No. J 150 (Cawnpore)
No .1193
No . 483
No. 1206
Local (Montgomery)

Place of origin.
Central1'rovinces
..
..
..
"

..

"

"

"

"
United Provinces

Punjab

"
"\"

Fibre%

21'0
14:1
13 76
11" 09
J (I. fl l
; ' '0
2J '6
?, ,7
11'4
14'35

Selected Publications, in the form of leaf! ts and buUetins,

mostly dealing with crop improvements issued ' by various
Departments of Agriculture in India, to populari~e results of
agricultural research, have been reco~d d .under ~jbljo
graphy B.

( 98

Improved strains of linseed cultivated in different

Provinces
CENTRAL PROVINCES AND BERAR

F. 55.

A high-yielding and bold grained variety.

E. B. 3. A very high yielder; bold brown coloured seed,

does very well under ordinary conditions; maturity medium;
flower blue coloured .
O. S. X. A fair yielder, pale coloured, richer in oil contents
than the local or E. B. 3; fetches bett r price in local markets.
No. 3243 { Good yielders; established as a result of cross,
No. 3255
E. B. 3 X Pu,!jab linseed.

BiHAR.
S. T. 6. Medium in size; oil content 42%.

SIND.
Red Cawnpore. A substitute crop for wheat and other oils eed
crops, grown in Sind.
ASSAM.
Linseed_. It was introduced a few years ago, aI?d appears to
have become much popular amongst the cultivators of low-lying
areas and riverine tracts.
Pusa Hy. 68. Introduced.
UNITED PROVINCES.
No. 1193.
Yield 13 to 15 Mds.; oil 40'7%; seed
brown, bold.
N o. 1150. Yield 13 to 15 Mds.; oil 38'8%; seed, dull brown,
medium; early in maturity.
Nl. 1206. Yield 11 to 13 Mds.; oil 43'1%; seed, yellowish
white, bold.

BIBUOGRAPHY A
.AMnymous (1936). Scientifu; Rep.Imperial Agric. Res. Inst. New Delhi, J936 : 58.
AlWnymous (1936-37). Agrie. and Animal Husbandry in India, J936-37 ; 1100.
Ano'!_ymous (1938). Scientific Rep. Imperial Agric. Res. Inst. New Delhi,
J938 ; 67
D eshpande, R. B. (1939). A note on the occurrence of chlorophyll deficiency
in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L. ). Cu". Sci., 8 ; 160-r69.

C. 99 )
Deshpande, R. B. and MalIik, A. K. (1937). Studies In Ir.dian oil-s~cd,
VI. Some corrdal'ions betwe~n oil-content and oth~r characters in the
Pusa Linseed Hybrids. Indian J. a.~rie . Sci., 7 : 841-84iJ.
Graham, R.J. D. and Roy, S. C. (1924), Linseed (L. usitalissimum ) Hybrids.
Agrie. J. India, 19 : 28-3 1.
Howard,A.Howard.G.L. C.andKhan. A. R. (1910a). Crops with op~
flowers. Mem. Dep. Agrie. India, (Bot. Ser.), 3 : 321-323.
Howard, A. Howard, G. L. C. and Khan, A. R. (1910 b). The e.>nomic
significance of natural cross-fertilization in Indla. Mem. Dep. Agrie.
India, (Bot. Ser.), 3 : 281-33.
Howard, A. Howard, G. L. C. and Khan, A. R. (1918). Studjes in the
pollination of Indian crops, I. Mem . Dep. Agrie. India, (Bot. Ser. ), 10 :
195-220.
Howard, G. L. C. and Khan, A. R . (1923). Studies in Indian oil-s~eds.
Mem. Del). Agric. India, (Bot. Ser.), I~ : 135-183.
Kadam, B.S. Kulkarni, R. K. and Patel, S. M. (1938). Natural croli&pollination in Linseed. Madras Agrie. J., !.16 : 3-9.
Kumar, L. S. S. and Patel, N. M. (1940). Natural cross-fertilization in
Linum ll.r1tatisJ'imuln (Linseed) in the Bombay Deccan. J. Uniuersily,
Bombay, 8 : 5.
Mahta, D. N. (1929). Annual Rep. Section of the Second Eccnomic Botanist,
Dep. Agrie. Centrat Prouiru;es and Berar, 1928-29.
Mahta, D. N. (1931). Annual Rep. Section of the Second Economie Botanist,
Dep. Agrie. Central Provinces and Berar, 1930-31 .
Mahta, D. N. (1933). Annunl Rep. Section of the Second Economic Botanist,
Dep. Agrie. Central Provinces and Berar, 1932-33.
Mabta, D. N. (1934). Annual Rep. Section of the Second Econcmic Botanist,
Dep. Agrie. Central Provinces and Berar, 1933-34,.
Pal, B. P. (1934). Recent progress in plant breeding at Puss. Agric.
Liv-SIk. India, .: sOs-!Ps.
Ravi Shankar, (1936). A prdiminary note on the root study of linseed .
Nagpur agrie. Coil. MalI" 10.
Richharia, R. H. (1938 0). Progress Rep. Oilseeds Research Scheme, 1937-38.
Govt. of India Press.
Richharia, R. H. (1938 b). Extraction of fibre from linseed stalks. Leaflet
No. 25 (1938). Dep. Agric. Central Provinces.
Riccharia, R . H. (1939). Progress R.p. Oilseeds Research Scheme, 1938-39
C. P. Govt. Press: 10.
Richharia, R. H. (1940 a). Progress Rep. oilmas Research Scheme, 1938-.0
C. P. Gout. Press : :>-6
Richbaria, R. H. (1940 b). Linseed FibreIndustry in India. Curro Sci., 9 : RIO.

( 100 )
llicliharia, R. H. (1940 ~). A process for ~racting fibre from the stalk.
of the linseed plant, and fibre so extracted. Patent No. .7Iltg. (2-101940), Gout. of India P'm.
Riehharia, R. H. (1941 a). Prog'flsr R,p. Oibttds RlStcmh Scheme, IHo-.I.
C. P. Govt. Press : 18.
ruchharia, R. H. (1941 b). Possibilities of a new industry on linseedfib,e in
the Central Provinces and Berar. A symposium on "the industrial developlent in the Central Provinces and Berar" held at Nagpur on 26th
DeCember, 1941. Proc. Indian Aca. Sci.
ruchharia, R. H. (1941 c). A machine for extracting fibre from fibrous
plants. PatmlNo. 27221 (9-7'1941), Gout. ofIndiaPres~.
Richharia, R. H. (1941 d). Chemical treatment of the coarse fibres of the
linseed plant, to render them capable of being spun into yarn. Patent
No. 271:48. (26-3-1941), Gout. of India Press.
Richharia, R. H. and]ha,J. D. (1942). Fibre contents ofIndian linseed
varieti<'S. Nagpur agrfc. Coll. Mag., 16 : 1-3.
ruchharia, R. H. and Kalamkar, W. J . (1939). Chromosome number in
Indian linseed, Lirwm usitalissimum. Indian J. agric. Sci., 9 : 561-564.
Sabnis, T.S. (1939). Notes on agricultural crops-Linseed. Linum usitatissimum L. United Provinus Dep. Agric. Bull. :1939 (Also included under
Bibliography B).
Shrivastava, K. P. (1935). AI",,",l Rep. Section of the Second Economic Botanist. Dep. Aerie. Cenlral Provinces and BerM, 1934"35.
Shrivutava. K. P. (1936). Annual Rep. Section of the Second Ee01tomic Botanist,
Dep. Agric. Provinus andBIrTOT, 1995-36.
Shrivastava. K. P. (1937). Annual Rep. Section of the Second EcMlOmU
Botanist. Dep . Agric. CmlrtiJ Provinces and 'BlrTar, 1936-37
Shaw, F' J. F. Khan, A. R. and Alam, M . (1931). Studies in oillJeeds,
V. The inheritance of characters in Indian Linseed. Indian j. agric.
Sci., J: : 1-57.
Vachhani, M. V. and Deshpande, R. B. (1 942). A case ofpartiaf dialyais ofearpels in linseed. Indian J. Genet. Pl. Brttld., III: 178-180.

BmLJOGRAPHY B.
(Name of a province where a particular publication appeared is shown in
italics.)
Sind (1932-33). Rabi oil-seeds.
Sind (1933-34) and ('937-38.) The cultivation of rabi oil-seed crops in the
Barrage areas of Sind.
United Provinces (1936). Linseed cultivation in the United Province.~ and it.
importance in Indian industries and trade-by T . S. Sabois.

(. 101
UIliI#4 P,,,iJUII (1939!' N{)teI on agricuiltuIlal crops-Linseed, Linum usitalissimum L.-by T. S. Sabnia.
Pu,yab. Enquiries regarding Indian oil-seed crops.
Cenlral Provinces (1938). The extraction of liIllleed fibre.

MUSTARDS.
Brassica Linn.
Cruciferae
There are nearly one hundred species, belonging to the genus
Brassica. A number of them are cultivated in India, to serve as
important oil-seed crops.
Classification.
There is much difference of opinion
whether the crops cultivated in certain provinces are varieties
of one species or are different species. Attempts have been
made by a number of workers to classify them as follows: Prain
(1898) studied mustards cultivated in Bengal and classified
them from the botanical point of view into different species and
vanetles. Howard, Howard and Khan (19 15) classified
Brassica juncca (rai) into 102 agrjcultural types, basing their
classification on characters, such as hairiness ofleaves, spreading
or oppressed position of the pods, mode of branching, height,
growth period and leaf chara ter (size, colour and degree of
division of the leaves). But they remark that, "the labour
of reducing them (mustards) to paper is so great that no effort
has been made to accomplish this exceedingly difficult task."
Sabnis and Phatak (1935) divided them under the following
five species:Local name.

Botanical name.

B. nigra Koch

BtII4rasi rai, Molwri, ..4.tZl rlli, Mullani. 1'ai.

B. napus L.

Tori.

B. rugosa Prain.

Pahadi rai.

B.juncea H. F. and T.

Rai, Galrna-sarsrm, BfUbhllhi rai, K/w I'ai.

B. campeslris L.

Sarson, pivli rai, Banga sarson, shwet rai,

Bora sarson, Pila sarson.

( 102 )
Brassica juncea has been further classified into 11 and Brassica
campestris into 35 types. Brassica nigra and B. napus were found
to be almost self-sterile.
Athawale, Hare and Mathur (1938) distinguished the se ds
of the following species by their seed-coat structurcs:-

..-----

--------------------~-------------------------Specie,S.

Seed characters.

I.

Brasma CDlllpestris.

Bold, ydlow brown or dark-brown in colour,

round in shape and with a smuuth surface.

2.

BrassicQ juncea

Small in size, spherical or ovoid in shape, with

a distinctly rugose: surface.

3. Brassica

MPUS

Smaller than those of sarson, spherical or ovoid

in shape: and possess slightly rugose surfaces,
the colour bemg reddish or dark brown.

Ali M . hammad and Khan (1937) also identified th seeds

of loria (Brassica napus L. Var. dicotoma Prain) , brown
sarmn (Brassica camptst,;s L. Var. sarson Prain) and raya (Brassica
juncea H. F. and T.) on (i) markings on the surface of the seeds
and (ii) the mucilaginous contents of their epidermal cells:
The raya seeds under a lens mounted in water show marked
reticulation, whereas loria and sarson seeds exhibit very faint
reticulation_ The seeds are mounted in water for about one hour
and then examined under the microscope. Sarson seeds show a
very prominent mucilaginous layer on their outer surface, while
raya and toria seeds show practically no mucilage.

Breeding. Results of breeding' investigations, carried

out in different provinces, have been published by Ali Mohammad, Singh and Alam (1931), Ali Mohammad (1935 a, 40),
Ali Mohammad and Sikka (1937), Sabnis and Phatak (1935)_
Ali mohammad and Khan (1939) record observations on the
root development of representative types of toria, rai (raya) and
sarson.
Improved strains of various Brassica crops under cultivation

103

in different parts of India have been recorded on pages, 106- 107 .

Genetics. Sterility. Self-sterility has been found by Akhtar
(1932) to behave as an inherited character. Self-fertility in
some type of yellow sarson was shown to depend upon multiple
factors (Anon. , 1933-34) . Ali Mohammad and Sikka (1937)
made a cross between self-fertile yellow-seeded sarson (Brassica
campestris) and self-sterile b I)W1J-~t:t.;Jeu sarSUII and Loria (Brassica napus) with a view to evolve self-fertile strains: elf-sterility
has been found to be dominant over self-fertility, the segregation being 3 : I (?). Self-fertility is lIot linked with either seed
colour or position of the suture of anthers. Results of investigations, carried out at Pusa and Karnal, on th inheritance of selffertility in some sarson varieties, have been recorded by Pal
(1934-).
Hairiness. Ali Mohammad and Sikka (1937) observed
hairiness to be dominant over smoothness, the segregation
being 3 : 1, in a cross between self-fertile yellow sarson (Brassica
campestris) and self-sterile brown-seeded sarson and toria (Brassica napus).

Position of anthers.
Ali Mohammad and Sikka (1937)
observed extrorse condition of the anthers to be dominant over
introrse, the segregation being 3 : 1 in the cross, referred to above.
Seed colour. Observations made at Pusa and Kamal on the
inheritance of seed colour in sarson and tona have been referred
to by Pal (1934). Ali Mohammad and Sikka (1937) observed
brown colour to be dominant over yellow, in a cross involving
sarson (Brassica campestris) and tona (Brassica napus) varieties,
more than one factor being responsible for the appearance of
various grades of brown colour.
Ali Mohammad, Sikka
and Aziz (1943) record d observations on th inheritance of
four different types of seed colour in self-fertile Brassica: The
dark
reddish-brown, reddish-brown and y 1lowish-brown
colours are all dominant over yellow, the first two differing from
the yellow by two factors, while the third, by one factor only. The
dark reddish-brown and reddish-brown colours are also domi-

( 104 )
nant over yellowish-b.r own and both differ from it by a single
gene only.
The authors conclude that various grades of brown
colour in Brassica seeds are controlled by a series of polymeric
factors, the gene for dark reddish-brown being designated by
B r., reddish-brown by B rg and yellowish-brown colour by
Bra' They assort independently of each other. No linkage
has been noticed b etween Br, and Y-y (flower colour), and
H-h (hairiness ofleaves) and V-v (number of va Iv S (lfthe pod).
PLower colour and pod character. Inheritance of flower colour
and the number of pod valves in crosses made between different
strains of yellow sarson was studied at Pusa (A non. , 1933-34).
In F2 the rati os observed were 3 yellow: I whitish-yellow (creamy
colour) and 3 two-valved pods: I three to four-valved pods. The
inheritance of pod habit in the F 2 was studied in a cross between
two types of rai (B. juncea). It segregated into 3 adpressed : 1
open.
Interspecific I!)Ibridization. The following can lusions were
drawn by A li Mohammad (1937-38) with respect tothe interspecific crosses made between B. campestris (brown and yellow sarson),
B. napus (toria), B. juncea (raya), B. rapa (turnip) and B. oleracea
(cauli-flower).
(i) Brown sarson, yellow sarson, toria and turnip readily cross
among themselves and give good setting of pods and s eds, the
avera& ': pod s tting on crossed branches being 828 percent. as
compared to 92.1 percent. on the free flowering branches. There
were, on the average, 12'6 normally developed seeds per pod,
produced from the crossed flow rs, as compar d to 142 seeds per
pod on the free flowering branches.
(ii} RaY1 does not cross readily with any of the rcmaininli>
species. Although a fair pod setting. viz., about 20 to 70
percent. resulted from crossing raya with other species, yet the
numb.::r of normally developed seeds was extremely small or
n egligible.
(iii) Cauliflower proved cross-sterile when cross d with yellow
sarson, toria and turnip, but when crossed with brown sarS011 and
rqya, a few pods with only a few normal seeds were formed.

..... ..'

.. ... .
_

_--

PLl\lE J\ '

-.

.... .... ..'

....... ....

.;-

.,..

-........,.
~
. .

, ,

6
...
.....
,'.
. '

,. ,;. .,.

"

~i

eO:

o
7

. ,'t

'

'

,-.'
.
......

....-.. .

.,r..~

. " I . .
:~

..' .

...
"

'.:

:~

~ .

" -.;: ...... . .........,. .....

.. ..

:.p"~

- fI"

.1-

..

......t_ ..:
... ..

Figs. 1-9. Meiosis in BraSj'ica rar;IIa/n (2 n= 34); J. Diakin ..si5, two

t.. traval ..nu and thirt.... n bivalcnts and a nucleolus. 2, J anaphase, showing regular segregation of chromll'lomcs.
Meiosis in Flo B. carillala xR . .falivu.f 3. I metaphase' polar view, .howing ninl' bivalent! and eight univalents. Notit'e .econdary associations
among bivalenH and univalents. 4. I metapha!le side view. showing nine
bivalents and eight univalent'. 5, I early anaphase with six bi"alents
(one of which is heteromorphic) and fourtccn univalent.. 6. I late anaphase, notice the splitting of lagging univalcnts, 7. II metaphase polar
vi!"w! where some univalents have di\ided at I division. II. II division
spindles, noti"e the lagging of univalent.. 9. restitution nucleus with 29
chromosomf"s.
(Rirhharia, 1937')

, (

105' )

In a number of eros es (13. compestris L. var s'arsonxB. tournefortii Gouan; B. campestris L. var. sarson xB.juncea Coss ; B. nigra
KocnxB. tournejortii Gouan; B. napus L. var. dichotoma PrainxB.
jUTlcea Coss)., Ali Mohammad and Sikka (1940) found hybrids
of m ternal types. The authors, therefore, conclude that pseudogamy is a reg ular phenomenon in this genus and is prevalent
in a much larger scale than hitherto b elieved. Cytogenetic
investigations in the gen us Brassica, including interspecific
h ybridizatiou, have also been carried out in detail by Ramanujam and Srinivasachar (1943). These authors have proved
the origin of B. juncea through amphidiploidy, involving
B. campestris and B. nigra.
Inter-Generic Crosses.

An inter-generic cross between

Brassica cal'inala and Raphrlnus satiulls has b 'en rec(Jrded l?y

Richharia (1937) . At diakinesis in Brassica carinata occasionally.
one or two tetravalents were olJserved, but segregation of chromo,somes at anaphase was regular. R. sativus showed re5ular pairing.
In Fl variable pairing up to nrne bival nts was observed. In
one pollen mother cell, among the twenty-six plates examined
a h teromorphic bivalent was also notic d. The plant proved
t'o be highly steril e. Only one F. hybrid was obtained which
showed 2n = 28. It formed vari~bk number of bivalcnts up to 10,
with : occasional multivalents. It also proved completely sterile.
The necessity of starting research inIndia on the intergeneric
crosses between Brassica and Raphanus has been emphasized by
Richharia (1936).

Cytology. The following chromosome numbers have been

.q~termined of various l1rassica species (cj. Pal, 1939)

B. juncea (rai) ,

2n=36.

B. campestris var. sarson,

2n -20 .

.B. napus var. dichotoma (toria),2n=20 (also 2n=38, as recorby other workers).

~ed

B. nigra (benarsi rai), 2n= 16.

106 )
Sikka (1940) f:;J:eGords detailed observations on the cyto
genetics of Indian Brassica material.
Akhtar (1932) has shown that self-sterility in some varieties
of cultivated Brassica is due to the failure of the pollen tube te>
reach the ovule before it has lost its receptive power. Ali Mohammad (1935 b) also puts forward a more or less simiJarexplanation ior self-sterility in toria and brown sarson to be due to
slow growth of the poll n tube.
Mutations . Pal (1939) records a triploid in B. nap us, a
haploid in B. juncea, a genic mutant in B. napus which docs not
open its petals and a genic mutant in B. campestris which is
apetalous. Ramanujam (1940) r fers to two spontaneously
occurring trip10ids in B. campestris and Ramanujam and Srinivasachar (1943) record a haploid-diploid chimeral plant of
B. jnncea, observed among plants raised from colchicine treated
seeds.
Natural Crossing. The phenomenon of natural crossing
in mustards is of common occurrence. Ali Mohammad, Singh
and Alam (1931) showed that in toria and Sarson the floral
mechanism is such that it provides few chances for natural
seUing . Under bags the production of pods is about 12'3 and
20'3 percent. respectively. Ali M ohammad (J935b) described
floral m chanism in loria and brown seeded sarson.
A reference to popular accounts on mustards, relating to
their improvements, in Bengal and United Provinces has been.
made under Bibliography B.

IMPROVED STllAINS OF VARIOUS BRASSICA CROPS.

United Provinces.
Mustard. R. T. 11. Its yield is 16 to 23 Mds.;.
oil 39'2%, almost resistant to aphids; maturity 135 to 140
d ays.
Punjab.
Toria. Selection A. has been evolved by continuous mass.
selection; Yields 1-2 maunds more seeds per acre and also its.
seeds contain 2-3% more oil than the unselected local strains:.
Sikka, S. M. (1 940). J. Genet., XL : 44 1-5!1o.

~\

y.

.!' ' ~ ~

.
....-:~."'. '.. \

.........

'-1
'
...
.,

I.

_t ... ..... '...

..' ...
...
_
. :::....
'.. .

..... ' . ' . 1'.

.. ._. .

..,

.,

...

'. ' \

' ~'

"

tl'--

~ J

J'LATE \

..

-'

j.

~ ~~'.I

,,'.:
"~ .e.-'"

/'

" .

-.-

"

',., ',.'

,.'

:~ .~0

..:., ....:.. ..

10

,., ~'
':t."~ :.

"

~. - .. .:....'

"

.. "

..... ..........
I:'
'

~,.

."1

'4

....
..
_. \
~.,

.......

;J.~
.,.

16

.2

."',et!

.,'...
i!

.,.
17

I~

.
,
..

..... ,.

., :. ..1 't .

18

Fig. 10. Sine "iew of a re~titllti()n nudeu~. II. lale anapha!... 1:2.
II divi&ion.
Meiosis in F. B. carinala. x R. salivuJ; 1:1. Early diakin~is, showing one
tetravlll .. nt (T), six bivalents (8) and 12 unhalents. l-t. ] metaphase
with ten bivalents and 8 unh'alents and two nudeolnr fragrnl'nb.
Various types towards the formation of rl'stitution nucleus in F:z 1. 2 n= 28)
when vairable numbers of univalents have divided. 15. With 36 chromosomeR. 16. With 35 ('hromosomes and possibly a necl("olar fragment. 17
With 40 chromosomes. 18. With 35 chromosomes.
(By court!"!ly of The Indian Botanical Sodt!>'; Richharia, 1937),

107 )
nein! uniform in maturity, the whole crop can be harvested all
at one time, unlike the local strains of toria; Average yield per
acre, lOt maunds; percentage of oil in seeds, 450.
Raya. L. 18 is a drought resistant, self-fertile variety of
medium maturity, which is suitable for rabi sowings both on
barani (rain-fed) and irrigated soils. In extensive yield tests,
carried out over a period of five years, under varying conditions
of soil, moisture and climate, it has, on an average, given approximately 40% higher yield than the local strains of sarson, tried
against it. Under most favourable conditions, a yield of 32
maunds per acre has been obtained from this variety. Its
plants, being tall and quick growing, can also be grown [or
supplying early green fodder, of which it yields a high tonnage;
Average yield per acre,
maunds; percentage of oil in seeds,
42'5.

Hi

SIND.
Toria Lyallpur early is a good yielder and finds better market
than Jambho (Eruca sativa) or rape.
Kav Ahmad variery is a good yielder and fetches better price
than other varieties of toria.
BIBLIOGRAPHY A.
Akhtar, A. R. (1932). Studies in Indian brassicae, I. Sterility and selective
pollen tube growth. Indian J. agrie. Sci., 2 : 280-292.
Ali Mohammad (1935 a) . Breeding investigations on oil-seeds in the Punjab.
PuTfiab agrie. Call. Mag., 3 : 82~5.

Ali Mohammad (1935 b). Pollination studies in lona (B. na/Jw L. var.
dichotoma Prain) and sarson (Brassica campestris L. var. Sarson Prain).
Indian J. agric. Sci., 5 : 12 5 - 1 54.
Ali Mohammad (1937-38). Progress Rep. oil seeds Res. SchmIt, Punjab, 1937-38 .
Ali Mohammad (1940). Br cding investigations of oleiferous Brassicae
in the Punjab. Punjab ngric. Coil. Mag., 7 : !lQ-2 3
Ali Mohammad and Khan, A. R. (1937). Diagnosis of oJeiferous Brassicae
Sl':eds ..4grie. Livd-stk. India, 3 : 512-513.
Ali Mohammad and Khan, A. R. (1939). Root development of certain oi[seed crops of the Punj ab. Proc. Indion Acad. Sci., 9 : 247-255'

Ali Mphammadj and Sikka. S. M. (1937). Breeding investigations in sorpe of

the olciferous Brassicae of the Punjab. India" J. agri&. Sci., 7 : 849_;g62.
Ali Mohammad and Sikka, S. M . (1940). Pseudogamy in the genus Brassica.
CUrl. Sci., 9 : 280-282.
Ali Mohammad, Sikka, S. M. and Aziz, M. A. (1943). Inheritance of seed
('olour ill ~ome Oleifcrous Brassicae. Indian J. Cellet. Pl. Breed., !Ii: 112-121.
Ali Mohammad, Singh, R. and Alam, Z. ( 1931 ). Some breeding investigations
on Toria (Brassica napus L. var. ditholoma Prain) and sarlon (Brnssica campliJ'lris L. var. sarson Prain) . Indian J. agric. Sci., 1 : 10g-136.
An0'!)lmous. (1933-34)' Sci. Rep. Imperial Inst. agric. R6s. Pusa, 1933-34 : 77.
Athawale, D . Y. Hare, J. A. and Mathur P. N. ( 1938). A study of Indian
mustard and rape seeds and their oils. Ilidian Industrial Res. Bureau.
Buli" No. 13.
Howard, A. Howard, G. L. C. and Khan , A. R. (1915)' Studies in
Indian oilsecds. No. 1. saf!ower and mustard.
Mem. Dep. Aerie.
India, (Bot. Su. ), 7: 237-255.
Pal, B. P. (1934). Recent progress in plant breeding at Pusa. Agric. Live-slk.
India, 4 : 50 5-5 1 5'
Pal, B. P. ( 1939)' Rep. Imperial ecunomic botani.;l, New Delhi, ][938-39.
Prllln, (189B), Aerie. ledger, I.
Ramanujum, S. ( '940). Autotriploidy in Toria (Brassica camplislris L .).
Sci., 9 325-326.

CUTI.

Ramanujam, S. and Srinivasachar, D. ( 1943). Cytogenetic in\'e~tigations in

the genus B,aJsica and the artificial synthesis of B. juncea . Indian J.
Genel . Pl. Breed., :3 : 73-118.
Richbaria, R. H. (1936). Need for research in India on intergeneric crosses
between Brassica and Raplrallus. Curr. Sci., 5 : 228.
Ricliharia, R. H. (1937). J . Indian Bot., Soc., 1:6 : '37-144.
Sabnis, T. S. and Phatak, M. G. (1935). A preliminary note on the classification of cultivated Indian mustards. Indian J. agru. Sci., 5 : 559-578.

BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
Bengal (.B979B). Notes on the mustards, cultivated in Bengal.

Bengal (1897-913). Mustard.

Blngal (1906-7). Varic-tal experiment with mustard at the Durnraon Station.
United Prouinces. ImproveU mustard strains and their importance in the Agricultural Industry of the United Provinces.
United Provinces. Notes on agricultural crops-Mustard (Brassua species).

109 )

TARAMIRA
Eruca Mill. Eruca sativa Mill.

Cruciferae.

Eruca sativa Mill is known locally by several names, such as

Duan, Sahwan, Tira, Tara, Taramira, Dua, Chara and Jambho.
It is mostly gro'IN-U in the northern parts of India for oil and also
for fodder.
Howard , Howard and Khan (191 0, 18) rccord that self-fertilization in this crop is very rarc . When long and short styled
plants are crossed, the flowers set seed freely. Alam (1936)
observed gr ater pod and seed formation when bud pollination
was resorted to.
Athawalc, Hare and M athur ( 1938) record that the s eds
of this species being light, reddish brown and ovoid with a smooth
surface, cannot be mi taken for seeds of brassica crops.
Pal (1939) refers to a genic male sterile mutant, the chromosome number in this species being 2n=22.
Root development studies of some representative types were
made by Ali Mohammad and Khan (1939).
BmLIOGRAPHY.
Alam, Zafar. (1936). Self-sterility in Taxamira (Eruca satiDa Lam.). Pu,yab
agric. Coil. Mag., 3 : 246--53.
.
Ali Mohammad and Khan, A.R. (1939). Root development of certain oilst"cd rrops of the Punjab. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci., 9 : 247-55.
Athawal ~ D. Y. Hare, J. A. and Mathur, P. N. (r93B). A study of Indian
mustard aQ.d rape seeds and their oik. Indian lndtlstrinl Ru. BlII"tali Bull.
No. 13.
Roward, A. Howard, G. L. C. and Khan, A. R . (1910) . Crops with open
fJowers~ Mem. D,p. Agric. India, (Bot. Ser.), 3; 321-23
Howard, A. Howard, G.L.C. and Khan, A. R. (1918). Studies in the pollination ofIndian crops, I. Mem. Dep. Agric. India, (Bot. Ser.), I. : IS5-IBs.
Pal, B. P. (1939). R.p. Imperial teonomic: botanist, New-Dtlhi, 1938-39'

Sesame
Sesamum Linn. S. orientale Linn. (S. indicum Linn.). Pedaliaceae.
Sesame is an important oil seed crop, grown in most of the

( 110 )
provinces. It is known by various names, such as Til, Tilli
(Central Provinces, United Provinces, Bengal, Punjab), Tir
(Sind), and Ellu, (Madras, Tamil).
Classification and breeding-Sesame crop in the Central
Provinces is classified into two broad divisions, viz ., kharif
(monsoon crop) and rabi (spring crop). In Burma it is distinguished as the early and late monsoon varieties. In the Central
Provinces the rabi crop seeds, when grown as monsoon crop,
produce much vegetative growth with very poor bearing of
flower and fruits (Richharia, 1938). In Burma the early
monsoon variety can be grown either as early or as late sesame
and the late monsoon variety is strictly a cold season crop, producing, when sown early in the monsoon, much vegetative
growth, but failing to bear flowers and fruits (Mcllean, 1932).
Kashi Ram (1931) described 30 types but he did not make any
distinction between the early Sown kharif and the late sown rabi
sesames. Rhind and Thein (1933) classified the Burmese early
sesames and the late sesames into 34 and 15 types respectively.
Ali Mohammad and Zafar Alam (1933) divided the Punjab
sesames into 34 types. Mehta (1934) records 68 unit types,
having been isolated from the local mixtures, being grown in the
Central Provinces, whereas Shrivastava (1935, 37) refers to only
52 types, having been isolated from the material of the same
Province.
In Madras, a high yielding bushy type No. S. J. 89 with
duration of 85 days, has been recommended for cultivation.
It is characterised by possessing mec.l
s:zed, four-Ioculed
aolitary capsules, producing red-brown ttl ()' ack seeds with 50%
of oil. In the Central Provinces, a large number of true breeding
cultures from the kharif material have been isolated, as a result
of intensive selection work, carried out at the Oilseeds Research
Station, subsidized by the Imperial Council of Agricultural
Research and of them nine strains proved of great merit (Richharia, 1938, 1939, J940, 1941, and 1943). At the same reaearch centre 59 true breeding semi-rabi cultures have also been
evolved. For fairly heavy soils of black cotton type, a strain

III

popularly known as p. M. til has been under cultivation in the

Central Provinces for the last over twenty years. It matures
earlier than the local maghai til and, therefore, it invariably
escapes from damage by frost. I t also yields oil of superior
quality. In recent years, however, it has been reported to
have undergone deterioration in its yield. To replace this variety
two fresh selecti ns viz., 6R (1) and 8 R (3) have been evolved.
(Richharia 1939, 40, 41 and 43). Sabnis (?) records observations on sesame in relation to United Provinces.
Ramanujam ( 1941 ) draws attention to the possibilities of
utilizing wild species for breeding superior forms of cultivated
sesames. In India two wild species are found, viz., S. laciniatum Klein and S. prostratum Retz. The plants of S. prostratum
are prostrate with trailing branches, thick orbicular leaves,
purple flowers and black seeds; they are free from the attack of
diseases and pests to which the promising cultivated varieties are
generally susceptible. An Argentine species, S. radiatum Schum.,
is under investigation at Ooimbatore, Madras (John and Rao,
1941) .
Hybridization. Corolla colour. Inheritance of deep purple
and white purple mark on the outer surface of the corolla is
controlled by a single factor pair, purple colour being dominant
(John, 1934). Khan (1931) records a difference of two pairs
of factors (9: 7) in the light purple and purple colours in the lower
lobe. Pal (1934) also records purple colour in the flower, being
inherited on a 9 : 7 ratio.
Anther. Purple-lined anther is dominant over white anther,
being controlled by a single factor pair, the former bing expressed only when the factor for the purple colour on the corolla
is present (John, 1934).
Sryle. The purple ring at the base of the style is dominant
over white style, being determined by a single factor pair (John,
1934).
Flowers in the axil. The presence or absence of solitary and
multiple flowers in the axil is determined by a single pair of

( 112 )
factors, the former condition being,dominant (John, 1934; Pal,
1934).
Locules in flower. The four-Ioculed nature of the capsule is
dominant over six or eight-loculed nature and in F 2' 3 : 1 ratio
is observed (John, 1934).
Habit. Erect habit has been shown to b have as a simpl-e
recessive on a 3 : I basis (Pal, 1934).
Seed colouT. White seed behaves as a simpl recessive on a
3: 1 basis (Pal, 1934).
"Early" and "late" nature. Rhind and Thein (1933)
studied the "early" and "late" natur of the sesames and foulld
that it is controlled by a single pair of genes.
Other crosses. lnterseasonal crosses bctwe>n the 'hot-weather'
and 'cold-weather' types have been made at Tindivanam with
a view to volve cosmopolitan types suitable for all seaSOns
(Anon., 1940).
Garu (1934, 36, 37) records .failure of attempts to cross
Sesamum orientale with Sesamum radiatum.
'Vith a view to cross Sesamum orientale with Martyniadiandra,
pollen tube growth was studied of the Martvnia poll n Of) the
Sesamum stigma by Richharia (1937) . Pollen germinatio~ 00
the stigma and pollen tube growth into the style were distinctly
observed.
A.sociation of chara cters. Association in certain
-characters, shown below, has been observed by Rhind and
Thein (1933).
1. Branching with black or dark coloured seeds and single
axillary capsules.
2. Small association between coloured seed and four 'locular
condition.
3. More than o~e capsule per aXil with usually four locular
condition.
4. Colour d seeds with the single capsule per axil cond~tion.
5. Unbranched types are more sev rely affected by the
sepaloid condition than the branched types.

113 )'

Cytology. The chromosome numbers of the cultivated

and other species of the genus are shown below:-

----------------~----------~-------------------Species

Chromosome
number.

S. orientale Linn.

Reference.

Richharia (1936);
Richharia (1937);
Richharia and
Persai ( 1940);
Kumar and Abraham (1941).
Ramanujam (1941).
Ramanujam (1942).

S. prostratum Retz.

n=16

Ramanlljam (1941).
{ Ramanujam (1942).

S. radiatum Schum.
and Thoun

2n=64

John and Rao (1941).

M eiosis was studied by Richharia (1936) who records

the formation of thirteen bivalcnts. From the beginnin~ to
the end of the process a nucleolar body was constantly seen.
Th presence of this body (secondary nucleolus) at meiosis has
been confirmed by Kumar and Abraham (1941).
P Olyploidy. As a result of colchicine technique, tetrarloid
sesame plants have been evolved by Richharia and Persai
(1940). The treatment employed was 006 percent. colchicine,
seeds being immersed in the solution for two hours.
Na tut"aJ Cro..lng. The phenomena of pollination and fertilization have been described by Howard, Howard and Khan
(1918) and Kashi Ram (1931) . Natural crossing in this crop has
been recorded to take place to the extent of about 5 percent. at
Lyallpur, Punjab (Ali Mohammad and Zafar Alam, 1933) and
10 to 65 percent. at Nagpur, Central Provinces (Mahta,
1933; R ichharia, 1939).

( 114 )
Ac:c:Umatizatioa. A sesame variety, obtained from Cy.
prus and tried at Nagpur, proved early maturing with 5960
percent. of oil (Richharia, 1940, 41).
Phyllody. Yield of this crop is often reduced by various
factors. A common type of sterility has been found to be due
to phyllody when the floral parts are transformed into various
..kinds of vegetative (or leaf-like) structures. This phenomenon
has been recorded and studied by several workers who attribute
it to various causes: Pal and Nath (1935) found it possible to
transmit the phylloid condition by grafting normal scions on
phylloid stocks and vice versa. They are inclined to think that it
may be caused by a virus disease. Odell (1925) records that
$eeds from the lower capsules of affected plants did not show as
much phyllody in the progeny as seeds from normal plants of
the same strain. These observations suggest the sporadic
appearance of this sterility. Rhind and Thein (1933) observed
it to be most common amongst the unbranched types. According to Rhind, Odell and Su (1937), varying conditions of light,
temperature, moisture, soil, etc., acting on a mixture of gene
complexes could serve to produce the disease in the sporadic
manner in which it usually occurs. Kashi Ram (1931) conclu,des that early sowing, if accompanied with heavy rainfall, greatly
favours phyllody. Cooper and Gom:alves Ella (1936) also reCord observations On this phenomenon.
Detailed investigations on this phenomenon were undertaken at Nagpur, which
kave been briefly described by Richharia (1939); As a result
of continued selection it was found possible to reduce the percentage of sterility : During 1937 phyllody was estimated to
~be 091 percent. in local mixtures, while during J 938 it was
~reduc~d.
037 in the progenies of the selections.
Geaeral. The root-system of sesame was studied by Kashi
; Ram (1931). He observed differences in the root-system of early
.and late types of the plant. The early individuals show a poor
'TOot-system and the main root grows to about 3 feet deep which
.. possesses a few secondary and tertiary roots. The late ones, on
the other hand, possess a stronger root-system and the primary

to

U5 )

root goes more than three feet deep and exhibits, near the surface, a huge ' number of secondary and tertiary roots. Kashi
Ram and Row (1931) record some observations on the root
.development of Pusa type 22 (early) and Pusa type 29 (late), in
different soil conditions. They concluded that for maximum
development of root and shoot, a light sandy soil with the required moisture is necessary.
Rhind (1935) studied photo-period ism in sesame and showed
that the late Burmese sesames are typical short day plants. They
behave normally under days of twelve hours or less, but thirteen hours' day condition produces abnormal growth and
suppresses flowering. The early varieties, on the other hand,
do not show any particular behaviour uJlder long or short
day conditions.
Richharia and Dhodapkar (1940) observed sesame seeds
possessing rough, black and constricted seed-coat-which exhibited delayed germination. The seeds did not germinate even
after putting them on a moist blotting paper for over seven
months. The cause of this phenomenon has been considered
to be due to the structure of the seed-coat which presumably
obstructs the intake of water and oxygen.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Ali Mohammad and Zafar Alam, (1933). Types of Stsamum indicum D. C. in
. the Punjab. IndilJn J. agric. Sci., 3 : 897-911.
Anonymous, (1940). Rep. agric. slals. MadrtJS PresidenCY.1938-39: 377-378.
Cooper, R. E. and Gon.zalvcs Ella, (1936). A note OJ), some abnormalities
in plants collected in Bombay. ]. Univmity of-Bombay, " : 19-1lo.
Garu, D.A.R. (1934) : Rep. operations Dep. acric., MadrtJS Presidency, 1933-34:
'7

yaro,

D. ~. 'R. (1936). Rep. optralionsDep. 118ric., MadrtJSPresitU1IC.1, 193536: 16.

Qarlt, D. A. R . (1937). Rep. opetCltionsDep. agfie., MadrtJS Presidency, 1936-37: -i,.
Howard, A., Howard, G. L. C. and Khan, A. R. (1918). Studies in the pollina
. tion ofIndian crops, I. Me"'. Dep. Agric. India (Bot. Str.), 10 (No5): '95
220.

John. C. M. (1934). Inheritance studies in gingelly.

.411.
Biol., C,ilftb.t,rl, A: 33-40.

Ie,.

SUQlnIl1fl

indicunc.

PrH

116 )

John,

C. M . and Rao, U. N. (1941). Chromosome number of SeslU1lUl1l r...

iatum Schum. and Thoun. Be~kr . Curro Sci., 10 : 364'
!Cubi Ram, (1931). Studies in Indian Oil-seeds (4). The types of Se:amum
i1llii&1un D . C. Mem. D,p. Agrie. India, (Bot. Ser.), 18: 1~7-147
!tuhi Ram and Row, R. M . (!931). Some observations on the growth of
SlIlU1Ium induum in different soil conditions with special reference to root
development. Indian J. agm. Sci., I : 715-717.
II::.han, A. R . (1931). Sci. RIp. agrie. Res. Inst. Pusa, 1930-31 : 34
It.umar, L. S. S. and Abrahnm, A. (1941). A cytological study of sterility in.
Sesatrlum orientale L. Indian J. Gen", Pl. Breed., I: 41-60.
Mahta, D. N . (1933). Annual RIp. Dep. alrie. Central Provine,s and Blrar, SfCtiDn'
Second economic botanist, 193!l-33.
Mahta, D . N . (1934). Annual Rep. Dep. agric. Central Provinces ond Berar,
Section SICond economic botanist, 1933-34; .
Mclean, A. (1932). Dep. agric. Burma, agrie. survey, No. Jig.
Odell, F. D. (1925)' DIp. agrie. Burma, Allanmyo, (Agric. station Rep.), 1925.
Pal, B. P. (1934). Recent progress in plant-breeding at Pusa. Agric. LivISlit. India, 4 : 505-5'5'
Pal, B. P. and Nath, P. ('935), India" J. agrie. Sci. , 5 : 5 1 7-5 22 .
Ramanujam, S. (1941). Curr. Sci., 10.
Ramanujam, S. (1942). Curro Sci., I I : 426-428.
Rhind, D. (1935)' A note on photo-periodism in Sesamum indieum.
Sci., 5 : 72 9-73 6 .

J. agm.

Rhind. D., OJell, F. D. and Su, U. T. (1937). Observations on phyllody ot

S,samtlm in Burma. Indian J . alrie. Sci., 7 : 823-81-'
Rhind , D . ani Thein, U. B. (193g). The classification of Burmeae scsamulllJ .
Stsatrlum oriental~ Linn. Indian J. agric. Sci., ~ : 478-1-95'
Richharia, R. H . ([936) . Some observations on Suamum indicum L~
Nagpur -.em. Coll. Mal., II : 1-5.

Richharia, R. H. (J931). Martynia pollen germination on the $UatrItR

.tigm. Curr, $d., : Ull_2g.
Richbaria, R.. H. ('938), Prol'm RIP. Oll-~"ds R,I. Sthmu, Cmtral Pro_'ii.
1937-3 8.
Riehbaria, R. H. (1939). hll'lJI R.p. OU-II#I/s Rls. Schmu, Cl1Itr.J
193 8-39.
Ricbharia, R. H. (1940)' PrlllrIJl Rep. OU-lIId: Ru. Selunu, C,,,tral P,oDinm..

P,o"''',_

1939-40
Richbaria, R. H. (19~1). Pregrm Rep. Oiz"",ds R". S,,,,,,,,., Central ProllinCII..

Riebharir., R.H. (1943). p",ms Rep. Oil-mas R,:. Sehtml, Ctlltral Prlloilwu.

{ 117 '}
Ilichharia, R. H. and Dhodapkar, D. R. (190(.0). Delayed germination in
....me. SmJ11l11m indicllm. Indian J. ag,~. Sci., 10 : 93-9:;.
Richharia, R. H. and Penai, D. P. (1940). Tetraploid til (S'S411lll11l .~ L.)
(rom colchicine treatment. C"". Sci : 542.
Sabnis. T. S. (?). Notes on agricultural crops.til, SU4IIIII11I intJicum D. C.
D",. qric. UniUd PrDl1mm.
Sbrivastava, K. P. (1935)' AMII4l RIp. D",. agne. C,,*ol ProNe.., ADd s"
S"tioll Sleond lCollOmic botGllist, Itst-35.
Shrivastava. K. P. (1937). AMII4l /Up. D,p. agric. ClIltral Provine.., ADd B.,
StWIl Second I&OIlOnh& bDtGnisl. ItsI-37.

GaOUNDNVT
Arachis.

A. hypogfUa Linn.

Leguminosae.

The original home of groundnut, Arachis 'hypogru", L. t it

believed to be South America. It is not exactly known when this
plant was introduced into this country. Its cultivation ismOltly
confined to Madras, Bombay, Burma and Central Provinces.
Botanically the species has been described by Chandrasekharan
and Ramakrishnan (1928).

Breeding. A white-flowered type of Arachis ~pogaea hat been

reported by Kumar and Joshi (1938) from Poona. It arose
from a local variety, identified as Loureiro's Arachis asiatica, a
synonym of Arachis hypoga6a Linn. This new type resembles
the parent material very closely ~cept the flower colour. To
study the inheritance of petal colour, crosses have been.inade
between the white (mutant) and yellow' (normal) flowered
varieties (Kumar, 1939; Kumar andJoahi, 1943).
A variety of groundnut has been described by Joshi and
Seshadri (1936) which shows an extra-ordinary length of the
primary and secondary branches, growing to an average lCQgth
of 5 feet. The rachis is considerably elongated which grows out
at the flowers open. The base of the main axis is very thick and
rather woody.
Patel and Narayana(1937) record two varieties of A. h,JPo, . . viz.,
(i) V Small ]II/HIII-a bunch variety,
(2n-fO).
.

118 )

(ii) Var. Oudiyatham bunch-a bunch variety,

(2n-40).
Crossing techniqu in groundnut has been described 10
d~tail by Patel, John and Seshadri (1936).
Groundnut varieties under cultivation in different parts of
India have been recorded below :
CENTRAL PROVINCES AND BERAR.
(Madh]Q Pradesh)

Ak. 12-24. A small podded variety of ground nut, resembling Small Japan
in respect of maturity and oil content. Superior in cropping power to Spanish
/J6allUt and Small Japan; Early erect and easy to harvest; Yield 1,600 to 1,800
Ib5.
pods per acre, giving 70 to 73 percent. seed on shelling; Suitable for
oil' extraction.

or

Raipur local. High yielding late with spreading habit .

Ak. to. Erect large seeded variety, ripens late, good for eating .
. Small J2/1an. An early erect variety, suitable for dO\lble cropping.
Spanish pta,zut, Earlier than the above; Pods small with pink coloured seeds,
can be followe d by a second crop under suitable conditions; Requires watchini. being susceptible to damage from pigs and jackals,
Ak. '8"11 . A large podded variety ; Earlier than Ak. 10 in maturity, with
nub .li"htly smaller in sue. A good yielder with a high percentage of oil..

BOMBAY PROVINCE.
I. This is a selection made from exotic varieties. I t is an erect variety
with grayish seed. The seed contains more oil and gives more yield.
K. 3. This is also a selection made Crom exotic varieties, grown near
Tasgaon in Satara District. This is also an erect variety. The seed is red and
the yield is more than that of Spanish peanut.

r.

UNITED PROVINCES.
No. 18. Yield 18'5 Md!. per acre, percentage of kernels 73 .4, percentage of oil in kernel 49.7, yield of oil per acre 6.7 Mds., erect and early .
. ND, !23. Yield 20'2 Mds. per acre, percentage of kernels 69'0, percentage
of -oil in kernels 49'3, yield of oil per acre 6'9 Mds., erect and early.
NII .24. Yield 19'7 Mds. per acre, percentage of kernels 71.5, percentage
of oil in kernels 48'0, yield of oil per acre 6'8 Mds., erect and early,

BARODA STATE .

..4. H. 32 and A. H. 25 from Madras, the former in the black soils of Kathiawar .nd the latter in the light soils of Mehsana. Navsari Bunch is a local selection, which appears to be doing quite well in the Baroda District .
.... H. 32. Erect type from Madras; a high yielder.

<'

119" ) :

PUNJAB.
A. 2. A spreading variety which, being slightly late in maturing, has
especially done well in the Rawalpindi District. Its pods and seeds arc of
fairly bold size, but the husks of pods are rather thick.
16 maunds.

Average yield per acre

% of oil in the seeds
Seed to pod ratio

D. 3. A spreading variety. possessing tbin-husked, well-filled pods of small

size. It has proved to be the best yielder of all the groundnut varieties, so' far
tried. Owing to its higb seed to pod ratio and bigh oil content, it is more
popular with the traders.
Average yield per acre

18 maunda.

% of oil in the seeds

Seed to pod ratio

R . I. A spreading variety with medium maturity and bold seeds. Being

thin husked, its pods yield more seed per unit weight than thick husked varieties.
Average yield per acre

14 maunda.

% of oil in seeds
Seed to pod ratio

BDIAR.
K. 17. Good yielder and better quality, of erect type, allows easy interculture.
MADRAS.

A.. H . 25. A high yielding spr ading type, duration 41 {, months; partially
drought resistant; Podr-smooth, cylindrical, medium-sized, one to two seeded
with occasional three seeded ones; Kernel.r--rose-coloured,medium sized and
plump; yields about 72% of kernels on shelling; oil content-50% . .
A.. H. 32. A high yielding bunch type, duration 31/ I months; Pod.r-smnll,
veined and slightly constricted; one to two seeded; Kemels-light rose-coloured, small and plump; yields abou t 74% of kernels on shelling; oil content

48%.

Genetics. Inheritance of certain characters in ATilChis

hypogaea has been studied by Patel, John and Seshadri (1936),
as shown below:

( : 120
Chara.cters.
Chlorophyll
d.eficiency.

Characters and
factorial
designations.
Green :
glglGZG S

Green
:

G 1G 1 g 2g.

*Abnormality. Normal: Abnormal.

Branching .
Duration.
Pubescence.

Testa colour.

Bunch variety H. G. I.
X
Sl~ 8 28 2
Spanish- 10 bunch: 8 1 8 1
X
S2S2
Spreading variety : SI SI
S2S,
Bran hedxNon-branched
hb
BB
L ate duration LL
X
Early duration II
Hairiness
HH
X
Sparse hairiness hh
Rose : White.
R l:RlR&R II : rtr1 r. r~.
Rose: R d.
Purple : Rose.
Purple : R ed.

15 Green: I
Albino.
15 Normal: 1
Abnormal.

NtN1DtD. : DI Dt N 8N .

Growth habit.

F.

Fl

Spreading
Spreading.
Branched
Intermediate.

7.

1.

I3
I :2 :1

Hairiness. 1 : 2
Rose.
Rd.
Purple.
Purple.

l5 :1.

3 : 1.
3 : 1.
12 Purple:
3 red:
1 rose

Red and purple factors

are expressed only in the
presence of the rose factor.
Anthocyanin
pigment.

Purple pigment on the

stem: ~reen .

Purple

15 : 1

Ei~m ent.

'The abnormal plants, referred to here, were dwarf and stun ted in growth,
having congested nodes and crumpled leaves. The plants showed abnormal
branching but some of the secondary and tertiary branches developed fully
a lld showed a higbly congested condition of the Dodes. The leaves were
redUCed in size and were wrinkled . These plants developed a few flowers
which were mostly sterile. The pollen grains were empty and the stigmas
were undeveloped. The plants were found to be free from insect pests or
attacks of any disease." Chromosome number in such Iterile individuals waa
found to be 2n= 4-0 (Patel and Narayana, 1938).

121

The authors s.uggest "that the two factors which produce the
~he rose coloured testa might also produce the purple pigment
in the plant." Linkage was observed between the branching
and spreading habit with about 30 percent. of crossover.
The following results have been reported from Madras
(Anon., 1940 b) :
Habit of growth-The order of dominance is er ct, bunch,
semi-spreading, spreading, trailing.
Branching-Branching is dominant over non-branching.
Duration-Long duration is partially dominant over short
duration.
Multi-kernelled nature of pods-One to two seeded condition
is dominant over one to three seeded condition.
Inheritan ce of corolla colour has been tudied by Kumar
(1939) and Kumar and Joshi (1943 ) . The orange flower
colour has been found to be partially dominant over the
white colour and is inherited according to a monogenic ratio.
Badami (1926-27) also refers to the inheri tance of certain charac;ters in groundn u t.
Intersp ecific.: hybridization between the cultivated groundnut,
Arachis hypogaea, and two Brazilian wild species, A. llambygvaroe
'and A. rosteriro has been recorded by Bums (1939).
Natural Crossing. During the course of work extending
.over five years Patel, John and Seshadri (1936) did not come
across a single instance of natural crossing and therefore these
authors believe that this must be extremely rare in this crop.
General references . Patel (1932) records some important
observations on pod formation in groundnut.
Polyembryony in this plant has been ObSCl ved by Patel and
Narayana (1935).
Germination and growth studies of groundnut varieties from
different Indian Provinces under the Punjab conditions were
carried out by Ali Mohammad, Alam and Khan (1933).
Short accounts of its cuLtivation and other information from
different parts of India are given by Krishnamachariar (1885).

122 )'

Rajagopalan (1924, 25) and Patel (1938). Some general

information is also available in the Quar. J. Dep. agric. Bengal,
I : (1908): 18-20 and Butt. m.~ Jrial a' ric. Res. Inst. Pusa, 8,
(No.2, 1910).
Anstead (1929) records t hat there are two waves offlowenngs
in ground nut. In spreading varieties the interval between those
waves is about a week, whereas in erect varieties it may be as
~uch as a month. The second flowering has been shown to be
of little value.
At Tin-divanam, Madras (A non. , 1.940 a), root studies of
different groun dnut varieties have been attempted to find out
whether there exists differences in root development between
varieties, exhibiting variation in habit of growth, duration,
yield, etc.
Bibliography B includes popular leaflets and bulletins on
groundnut.
BIBUOGllAPHY A.

AMnymQUS, (1940 a). Rep. work agrie. station, Madras Presidency, 1938-39 :
36 3-366 .

AM'!Ymous, ( 1940 b). Rep. work agrie. slaliol1, MadTIlJ PresideltC)', 1938 -39 : 36 9-371.
Anstead, R. D. (1929)' Rep. operatioru Dep. agric. Madras Presidency, 1928-29 :
3 2.
Ali Mohammad, Alam, Z. and Khan, K. L. ( 1933). "Studies on germination
and growth in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.). Agrie. Live-Stir. India, 3 :
9 1- 11 5'
Badami, V. K. (1926-27). Rep. Dep. agrie. Mysnre, 1926-27 .
Burns, W. ( 1939) . "The progress of agricultural,cience in India during the past
twenty-five years." Imperial Council acrie. Res. Misc. Bull. No. 26 (1939) : 9.
Chandrasekharan, S. N. and Ramakrishnan, T. S. (1928). "Botany of some
useful plants." Madras agrie. J ., 16 : 5-11.
Joshi, G.M. and Seshadri, C.R. (1936 ). "A new ground nut Arachis hypogata
Linn. Var. gigantM Patel et. Narayana (Var-Nova)." Curro Sci. , <i : 737-738.
Krishnamacbariar, K. (1885)' "The cultivation of groundnut." Madras J.
~gric. students' Ass., I : 68-84.
Kumar, L. S. S. (1939) . AnllualRep. Dep. agric. Bombay Province, 1938-39: 187.
Kumar, L.S.S. and Joshi, W. V. (1938). ,iA white flowered type of JlTllChiJ
hyjHJlttea Linn." Curro Sci., 6 : 454-455'

c:

123" ):

Kumar, L. S. S. and Joshi, W. Y. (1943). "Inheritance of flower colour in

Arachis hypogaea L. (groundm,l t).' Illdian J. Gentl. Pl. Breed., 3 ' : 59-60.
Patel, J. S. (1932). "Pod formation in groundnut (Araehis hypogaea)." Proc.
AnD. teo. Bioi. Coimbalorl, J : 38-39.
Patel,J. S. (1938). "Groundnut in Madras." Proc. Ass. teo. BioI. Coimbatore,
. 6 : 42- 46 . .
Patel, J. S., John, C. M. and Seshadri, C. R. (1936). "The inheritance of
. characters in the groundnut, Arachis hypogaea." Proe. Indian Aea. Sci.
3 (B) : 214-233.
Patel, J. S. and ~arayana, G . V. (1935) ' "A rare .instance of poly-embryony
in Arachis hypogaea WiIld." Curr. Sci. , f : 32-~3.
Patel J. S. and Narayana, G. V. (1937). "Chromosome numbers in some
economic flowering plants." Curr o Sci., 5 : 479.
Patel, J. S. and Narayana, G. V. (1938). "Chromosome numbers in some
economic flowering plants." Curro Sci., 6 : 509-510.
Rajagopalan. N. R. (1924)' "Groundnut and Indigo in a South Arcot village."
Madras agrie. J., 12 : 439- 440.
Rajagopalan, N. R. (1925)' "Groundnut and Indigo in a South Arcot village."
Madras agrie. J ., 13 : 113- 1 '4,

BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
Bmgal (1906-7). Note on ground nut cultivation.
Bihar (1928). Groundnut.
Bomba)' (191 I). Groundnuts in Bombay Deccan.
Bombay (1929). Sugge5tions to the cultivators of Spanish peanul groundnutJ
in Khande.~h.
Bombay (1929)' Possibilities of groundnut as a rllbi crop in the Konkan.
Bombay (1930). Useful hints for the cultivation of groundnut.
Bombay (1931). Cultivation of Spanish peanuts.
Madras (1893-94)' The groundnut, earth or pea-nut, Arachis hypogaea.
Madras (1899-1900). The groundnut crop growing near Panruti in South
Arcot.
Madras (1900-1901). The groundnut crop.
Madras (1923). The groundnut, earth or pea-nut.
Madras (1933-34)' The improvement of the quality of South Indian groundnuts.
Sind (1932-33) ' Groundnut cultivation in Sind.
United ProvinelS. The cultivation of groundnut.
Uniltd Provinces. Improved gl'oulldnut strains and their importance in the
cultivation in industries of the United Provinces.
Uttil,d Provine,s. Notes on agricultural crops-Araehis hY/l~Kllell-")I T.S. SltbniJ.

124 )

COCONUT.
C. nuciftra Linn.
Palmae.
According to Alphonso de Candole the most ancient home
of coconut is the Eastern Archipalego and it was introduced
into this country about three hundr d years ago. Dr. O. F.
Cook of America maintains that America is its native place,
whereas some authorities consider Asia as its original home.
It is known by various names, such as Nariyal (Central Provinces), Narikel (Bengal), Thenkai (Madras in Tamil and
Cocos Linn.

Tatgu).

Breeding. The breeding of this crop requires considerable

time. Very little progress has, therefore, been made in this
direction. Pillai (1919) records 40 varieties of coconut palm
trom Travancore, which differ from one another in a number of
<;haracters, such as colour, shape and size of nuts, thickness of
the outer fibrous covering, thickness of the kernel inside, oilcontent of the kernel and period of maturity of the palm etc.
According to this author an ideal variety of coconut palm is
one which h as the longest life and which produces mediumsized nuts, having a thin fibrous covering, thick kernel and high
oil-content. In Madras a tall variety, characterised by heavy
and regular bearing, has been under distribution.
Furtado ( 1923) observed in Akyab (Burma) "that the female
flowers do not open till aU the male flowers in the same inflorescence have been shed." Later on he reports that "the male
flowers continued t<;> open after some, or all the female flowers
in the same inflorescence had ripened." Kidavu (1925) describes the process of pollination. Garu ('}935) mentions that
ants playa large role in bringing about fertilization in this crop.
Kidavu (1931) records some variations in this crop from the
West Coast.
H ybridization. Patel (1937) presents data on hybridization as summarised below: A number of crosses were affected
between selected parents. From the nuts, obtained through
natural and artificial pollination, natural and self progenies were
raised. To determine the relative vigour, seedlings were measured

'125

for girth and height and the number of opened leaves were recorded. The data were utili'zed in ascertaining the existence of
hybrid vigour in the progenies. In no instance did the self
progenies exceed the corresponding cross or natural progenies.
The results show conclusively that hybrid vigour is met with in
the coconut. The bearing of this finding, on the methods of
breeding the coconut, has also been discussed by the author. Inbreeding, as a method of coconut improvement, is ruleod out.
In Madras, among the crosses between dwarf (early bearing,
small but numerous nuts) and tall (late bearing and big nuts)
types, the progenies of dwarf male and tall female appear most
promising (Anon., 1936-37; Garu, 1937). The Fl hybrid of the
cross, referred to above (i . e., tall variety, flowering in eight
years and dwarf variety, flowering in 3-3! years), flowered after
four and a half years and in general appearance of the inflorescence it approached th tall parent (Reddi. 1938-39) .
Miscellaneous. A p eculiar coconut tree was observed by
Tadulingam (1917), the peculiarity being in its inflorescence.
Rao (1927) .also records some other abnormalities in coconut.
Krishnamoorthy and Patel (1932) record positive correlation between yi Id and total number of leaves, height of the
trunk, number of female flowers, percentage of setting, etc.,
in trees of30 to 35 years. In a plantation of 12 years a negative
correlation, between the age at first flowering and total number
of Ie '
~ ld height of the trunk, was noticed. The authors
thu~ 1 \ ~ : ! ; t h'lt a tall tree with a large number of leaves beginl
to bear ea v and gives better yields. Garu (1935) also observed
a large number of leaves on the palm, being associated with
early flowering and heavy yields.
Patel and Marar (1935) have shown that inter-cultivation
has the maximum beneficial effect on the production of female
flowers, leaves, nuts and on the growth of the stem. Patel
(193~) records that there is no possibility ofincreasing the yield
by artificial pollination in this crop.
Narayana (1937) observed septal nectaries and hydathodel
in the coconut flowers.

( 126 )
Root studies were made at Nileshwar, Madras (Anon., 19"'0)
which reveal that deep planting is necessary from the point of
view of better establishment of the seedlings and protection
against the adverse effect due to drought on the growing tree.
The area occupied .by the root system increases with age, which
indicates the necessity for extending the area manured around
the trees.
Short accounts of cultivation and general information,
regarding this crop, have been given by Ranga Chariar (1885),
Menon (1916), Nayanar (1917), Rao (1918), Kidavu (1926)
and Chakravarti (11937), Patel and Nayar (1936).
Patel (1934) published a monograph on coconut which may
be consulted for details. Leafiets and bulletins of general
interest, published by various Departments of Agriculture in
~be States. have been recorded under Bibliograpby B.

BIBLIOGRAPHY A.

Anon,1mous (1936-37). Agrie. animal husbandry, illdia, 1996-37 ; 202.

Allo",mous (1940) . Rep. work Agrie. stations, Madras Presidency, J938-3' : .1-70.
Chakravarti, H. L . (1937). The coconut palm. Sci. Cul.,,, ; 622-624.
Furtado, C. X. (1923). Ripening of coconut Bowers. Agrie. J. India, J8 : 561.
Garu, D. A. R. (193S).Rtp. operations Dep. aerie. Madras Presidency, 1934-35: ' ....
Garu, D. A. R. (1937). Rep. operations D.p. aerie. Madras Presidlncy;
1936"'37 : 20.21.
M. G. (1925)' Pollination in coconut. Proc. I&th Indian Sci. Congr., 33.
Kidavu, M.G. (1926). Money.in coconut. Madras agrie. J., 14 ; 25.3-257.
Kidavu, M. G. (1931). Some experiences with CDCOo_ut in the We3t Coast.
Madras agrie. J., 19 : 300-305
:K.rishnamoorthy, T. and Patel, J. S. (1932) . Yield characters in co,onuLS.
Pro," Ass. teO. Bioi. Coimbatore, I . : 35-36.

Menon,K. U.K. tI916). Some aspects of coconut cultiyation in the Weat

. Coast. Madras agrie. y., " : 63-69.
Nayanar, K. K. (1917).
The coconut and its importance to Malabar.
Madras agrie. J., 5 : 215-220.
Narayana, G. V. (1937). On the nectar secretion in the coconut 1lower.
(COCIIS nueifira Linn.) Proe. Indian Aead. Sci., I) : 224-229.
Patel, J. S. (1934). The coconut a monograph. Goot. Press, Madras, I'M,
Patei, J. S. (1936). Rep. 0,",. statwn, M adras, 1'35-" : 3-9
~idavu,

127 )

Patel.J. S. (1937). Coconut breeding. Proe. Ass. teQ.B,il. O,imhaIDre. 5: 100...... 16.
Patel. J . S. and Marar, K. W. C. (1935)' Effect of certain cultural practices on the coconut. Proe. Ass. teo. Bioi. Coimbalore, 3 : 6-13.
Patel, J. S. and Nayar. A. P . B. (1936). Natural and induced resistance to
shoot-rot in the coconut. Proe . Indian A ead. Sci., 3 : 432-437.
Pillai, N. K. (1919). Coconut, the wealth of Travancore. Agrie. J . [ndill,
14 : 608--628.
Ranga Chariar ( 1885). Coconut cultivation. J . agrie. students' Ass., Madra.l!,
I : 201-212.
Rao, K . L. R. ( 1918). An old mall"S view about the coconut cultivation
. of the West Coast. Madras agru. J ., 6 : 245-247.
Rao. P. S. J. ( 1927). On coconut. Madras agrie. J., 15 : 100-101.
Reddi ( 1938-39). Rep . opera lions Dtp. acrie. Madras Presidency, 1938-39.
Taduliogam, C. (1917). A peculiar coconut tree. Madras agrie. J., 5 : 86-87.
BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
Bombay (1932). Coconut cultivation.
Madras (1926-27). The coconut.
Madras (1933-34). Selection work in coconut.
Madras (1934). Selection work in coconut: by J. S. Patel.
Madras (1934). The improvement of coconut under dry cultivation: by K. W.
Chakrapani Marar.
Madras (1934-35)' The improvement of coconut under dry cultivation.
Madras (1936). Coconut cultivation: by J. S. Patel.
Madras (1936-37). Coconut cultivation.
Madras (1937-38) . The coconut.
Madras (1937-38). Coconut cultivation.
Madras (1937-38). Coconut nurseries and the selection of seedling!. -A
press note.

p~TOR.

Ricinus Linn.

R. comtizunis Linn.

Euphorbiaceae.
Castor is one of th most important oil-seeds in India and is
~ known by various names in different parts of the country :
:Erand, Arandi or Andi (Bombay and Central Provinces),
Bheranda (Bengal), Beran
(Sind),
Eragatch
(Assam),
'Kottamuththu (Madras). The plant is grown in this Country
.for centuries. " ... It thus follows that the use of the castor.oil was known and the plant very probably' cultivated in India
many centuries before the Christian Era" (Watt, 1892). Ita

-12'B ./

'original home is believed to be North Mrica ~nd also probably

1ndia. In Assam it grows apparently wild.
Breeding. Sethi (I.931) made certain observations on this
crop, grown in the United Provinces and found that the smalls~eded varieties showed g'reater oil percentage than the bigseeded ones. He observed that th seed of the central branch
contained higher oil percentage and that the oil content depends
more on the degree of maturity. "The ideal plant," according
to the author, "should have big, densely crowded fruiting
racemes, high yield, indehiscent thin-walled capsules of uniform
maturity, containing small-sized seed, with the highest possible
oil-content." Taylor (1921) gives an account of the experiment
with castor seed, conducted at Sabour, with the object of isolating strains with high oil-content. He found that in the majority
of cases, the selected plants did not transmit high or low oilcontent to their progeny. Conditions of growth appeared to
have distinct effect on the oil-yield. Joshi (1926) described
variability in the inflorescence of castor plant, and Masur (1933)
records certain observations made on the material, grown in the
Bombay Presidency. Natural crossing was observed by Gam
(1936) to be 5'14%.
Varieties of castor under cultivation in Bombay and Madras
are briefly described below:
BOMBAY.
No. 20. T ilis is a selection from varieties, grown at Nadiad.
higher and, therefore, is superior to local.

Its yield is

MADIlAS.
R. C. 215. A high yielding type; duration, 8 months ; S'mI, green, thick with
heavy covering of bloom; hrafl&hilft. tenninal, a to 3; inf/llflSct1Ue, medium
length, fairly compact: eapsllus, medium .ized, .piny with a covering of bloom;
1,IdJ, medium sized, light coloured, with an overlay pattern of dark red;
,",,,,lIer of seed per poullli, 1,500; oil content, 54%.
R. C. 59-2-1-1. A higb yielding type; duration, 61/ t months; ste"" r e
coloured of medium thicknC!5 with a heavy covering of bloom; lIroTl(/dng, terminal,2 to 4 with secondaries and tertiaries; inflorescence, long, with sparse set
capsules; capsules, medium, spiny; seeds, medium, I1gbt coloured with ab
O'f'crlay pattern of dark red; n"",lIIf of Sleds per pqund, 1,600 I oil conulU, 51 %.

.(

29 . )

R. C: 59-8-3. A high yielding sho~t statured type; duration, 7 month!;

stem, rose-coloured, medium thickness with bloom; branching, terminal, ::I to 4,
with secondaries and tertiaries; inflorescence, medium length, with somewhat
compactly set capsules; capsules, small, spiny; seeds, small, light coloured with
an overlay pattern of sepia; number of ueds per pound, 1,800; oil content, 52%.

Cyto-genetics. Inheritance of spininess and spinelessness

of capsules was studied by Patwardhan (1931) who observed
intermediate dominance of spininess and by Reddi (1938-39)
who records spininess to be dominant over smoothness, whereas
wartiness, partiall y over smoothness (also see Anon., 1940),
and by Kumar (1938) who observed a mono-mend eli an factor
ratio.
Inheritance of stem colour (b1ackish-red-purpie and greeD.)
was followed by Patwardhan (1931) who records monoh y bt'id
ratio. These observations were confirmed by Kumar (1938).
Observations on the inheritance of bloom character have
Deen recorded by Patwardhan ( 1931) who records b100miness
to be partially dominant over bloomlessness and treble bloom,
dominant over double bloom. KU'IIlar (1938) obsented the
bloom character to be inherited in a complex manner.

The capsule colour is inherited in a ratio of 3 green: I

pi~ or red, though Fl was pink (Patwardhan, 1931 ).
Meiosis in this plant was studied by Richharia (1937) who
observed ten regular bivalents at diakinesis with no nucleolus.
Secondary associations were noticed and studied at I and II
metaphase, the maximum number being five. Thus R,icinus
communis is considered to be a secondarily balanced polyploid
with the genetic constitution as AAA BB CC DD E .
Ghosh (1924) mentions that the amount of oil content in
castor seed depends on the degre-e-ofmaturity of the seed and not
directly on climate or on mam1Tiaf' treatment.
- Single bloom ... Presence of bloom. on Item, petiole and peduncle.
Double bloom=Prf'.$ence of bloom on stem, petiole, peduncle and lower
surface of leaf.
Treble bloom=-Presence of bloom on stem, petiole, peduncle and both
lurfaeel of leaf.

130 )

Acclimatization of Russian varieties has been carried out

in Madras (Garu, 1935).
Popular accounts, dealing with this crop, have been recorded
under Bibliography B.
BIBUOGRAPHY A.
Anonymous, (1940). Rep. aerie. SlationJ , Madras Presidency, 1938-39 : 381.
Garu, D.A. R . (1935) . Rep. operationJ Dep. agrie. Madras Presidency, .934-35 : 14.
Garu, D.A.R. (1936). Rep. operations Dep. agrie. Madras Presidency, 1935-36: 15.
Ghosh. M. N. (1924), O il-content of castor seeds as affected by climate and
other conditions. Agrie. J. Itulia, 19 : 81 - 84.
Joshi, W. V. (1926). Some variations in the inflorescence of Ricinus communiJ
Willd. Proe. J3th Indian Sci. Coner. (bot .), 222.
Kumar. L. S. S. (193B). AMJlalRep. Dep. agrie.Bomba" Province, 1937-'& : 221.
Masur, N. G. (1933) . Castor-breeding in the Bombay Presidency. Agrie. Lill,..
SIIt;., India, 3 : u5-143.
Patwardhan, G. B. (1931). Preliminary Dote on the inheritance of characten
in castor. J. Iradime 6.1. S., 10 : 100-109.
Richharia, R. H. (1937). A note on the cyto-aenetica of RicilaU o _ i s L.
ITIlIiQlt J. alric. Sci., 7 : 707-711.
Reddi. P. H. R., (J938-39). RIp. ppITa'iliN D.p. IIlrie . MairQJ P",idmc.J.
1938-39.
Sethi, R. L. (1931). Observations on the castor-oil plant (Ri&illUs eelllmu"is
Linn.) in the United Provinces. Agrie. Livt-SIIt;. Iodia, I : 243-262.
Taylor, C. M. ( 1921). Experiments with castor-lcedl conducted at Sabour.
Bull. alric. Res. Insl . PUSIJ, No. 117 : 10 pp.
Watt, G. (1892). Diet.
Prl1dw:ts, 6, (Pare J) : 506.

&.".

BIBUOGRAPHY B.
CMlral Prol1inClS (?) Why we should grow cutor.
SiTlll (1932-33). Cutor cultivation in Sind.
Situl (1936-97). Cutor cultivation in Sind (mimI).
Situl (1937-38). Cutor culti.... tion in Sind (rltiMI).

SA.FFLOWSB.

Oarthamus Linn.
C. linctorjw Linn.
Compositae.
Safflower, Carthamus tinctorius Linn., known s.s liardi (Hindi),
liwum (Bengal), Kasumba (Punjab), Pavari (Sind), Jtifrart
(Assam), Kwumi (Kanarese) and Kusumba (Tamil and Tel,p),
has been cultivated in m~ny parts of India as an oil-seed. Its

131

flowers are also used in certain tracts as the source of a dye, but
this practice has been considerably affected by thei ntroduction
of aniline dyes. Most of the cultivated vari ties possess spines.
The crop is, therefore , generally sown to form a hedge round
certain crops, such as wheat and gram, in order to check the
intrusion of cattle. Some spineless varielies are also suitable
as a fodder crop (Basu, 1926-27) .

Breeding. The classification of this crop into various

types is not difficult, as it varies considerably in general habit,
leaves, bracts and inflorescences. Howard, Howard and Khan
(191 5) classifi d the plant into twen ty-four types, basing the
classification on the floret, habit and leaf characters. Khan
(1931) added to the list ten more types. Sabnis and Phatak
(1935) revised this classification and included twenty-nine new
types, thus bringing the total number of safflower types to sixtythree.
In the Central Provinces a number of true breeding cultures
have been isola ted, as a result of breeding investigations, carried
out between 1937 and 1942 under a sch me subsidized by the
Imperial Council of Agricultural Research (Richharia, 1938,
39, 40, 41 & 43). In United Provinces two strains have been
proved useful, viz., No. 56 for seed purposes, yielding 15 to 25
maunds per acre with 28'8 to 32% oil content and No. 39 for
fodder, yielding 450 to 535 maunds of green fodder per acre.
Investigations, carried out on the improvement of oil-set"d
crops in the Punjab, have been recorded in a publication 'If
1936 (A non. , 1936 b).
Hybridization. The mode of inheritance of flower
colour was studied at Dharwar by Main (1911-12) who records
that whiteness in the flower is a rec ssive character to yellow.
These results were confirmed at Pusa GAnon., 1934-35) where
orange flower was also employed in the cross, segr gating on a
3 : I basis, both yellow and orange colours being dominant in
c}. Leaflet entitled 'Noles on agricuJtural crops- Saffiowcr (Carthamus
tinctorius L.)' of the United Provinces Department of Agriculture.

( f32 )
individual crosses. These observations were also confirmed at
Nagpur by Richharia and Persai.
The spineless character is found to be recessive to its allelomorph on a 15 : 1 basis, and roundish shape of bract, recessive
to elongate-shape on a 3 : 1 ratio (Anon., 1934-35).
A cross between a chlorotic mutant and the normal green
(Pusa type 27) show d th latter to be dominant (Anon., 1934-35)
and segregated in the ratio of 3 normal: 1 chlorotic (Anon.,
1936 a).
Sterility due to lack of normal development of floral parts
has been recorded by Richharia (1941). This was observed in
the progeny of a natural hybrid which segregated into 15
normal: 1 sterile. Deshpande (1940) records a sterile mutant
with thick, twisted and unbranched stem and solitary and terminal capitulum which did not open and which failed to set
seed. The character appears to behave as a simple recessive.
Crosses made between the wild safflower, Carthamus oxyacantha
Bieb., and the cultivated safflower, Carthamus tinctorius Linn.,
showed the spiny nature and the grey seed colour of the wild
parent, to be dominant to spinclessness and white seed colour
of the cultivated species respectively (Pal, 1939).
Chromosome numbers in this spe1:ies have been observed to
be 2n=20 (Gregory, 1935 a) and 2n=24 (Patel and Marar,
1935; Gregory, 1935 h; Richharia and Kotval, 1940).
Miscellaneous. Natural crossing in this crop is common
and it depends on varietal differences and environmental factors
(Rich haria, 1939). At Pusa, Howard, Howard and Khan
(1910) found nearly 97 percent. crossing and in 1914at the same
place it was observed to be about 16 percent. in pure cultures
(Howard, Howard and Khan, 1915). At Nagpur it was6.3
percent~ in 1938-39 (Richharia, 1939) and 0'17 percent. in
1939-40 (Richharia, 1940).
The oCCurrence of chimera in safflower has been recorded
- by Richharia (1938).
Perlonal communication.

135 )

Richharia, R. H. (1938) . Progress Rep. Oil Seeds Res.Scht1'llt, Celltral ProvillCl.r,

1937-38, Govt. of India Press.
Richharia, R. H. (1939). Progress Rep. Oil Seeds Res. Schtmt, Central p,..
vinees, 1938-39. C. P. Govt. Press.
Richharia, R. H. (1940). Progres.r Rep . Oil Seeds Research Scheme, Celllrlll
Provinces, 1939-40. C. P . Govt. Press.
Richharia, R. H. (1941). Progress Rep.; Oil Suds Rtutlfch &hI"" Centrlll
Provinces, 194-41. C. P. GOtt. Press.
Richharia, R .H. ( 1943). Progress Rep. Oil Suds Resean'h Scheme, Central P"17illCfS,
1941-42. C. P. Govt. Press.
Richharia, R. H. and Kalamkar, W. J. 1938). Somatic and meiotic chromosomes in Guizotia abyssinica Cass, Cytologia, 9 : 1149-253'

PONGAM OIL.
Pongamia V ent.
P. glabra Vent. Leguminosae.
Pongamia glabra is found throughout India. Seeds obtained

from this tree are used in the extraction of oil, known as hongay
oil or pongam oil which is used in Indian medi cines as a remedy
for skin diseases. It is also used for burning purposes.
Chromosome number in this species has been observed to
be n=ll and 2n=22 (Patel and Narayan, 1937) ."'

Patel.J. S. and Narayan, G. V. (1937). Chromosome numbers in some

economic flowering plants. C~rr. Sci., 5 : 4-79

CHAPTER III.

MILLETS.
Ml.1.J~ts ar :iividcd into two broad classes according to their
habit:
(1) Greater millets which are bigger in habit, e.g., juar
(Sorghum vulgare) and bajara (Pennisetum typhoideum).
(2) Lesser millets which are smaller in habit, e. g., ragi (Eleusine coracana) and kodo (Paspalum scrobiculatum).
Self-pollination is rare in the first group, while very
common in the second

...,/' Jowar (Sorghums).

Sorghum Moench. Sorghum vulgare Pers. Gramineae
The cultivated races of Sorghum (Juar or Jowar) are the
largest forms of millets. Its name perhaps originated from the
Itali'an word Sorgo (to rise) which indicates its height, being
the tallest of all the cereals . It consists of a very large
group of plants, supposed to have b en derived from the wild
species of Andropogon halepense and other wild species found in
Mrica. There is also considerable evidence to show that it
was known in India for a very long time and probably has an
independent Asiatic origin as well. It is cultivated practically
all over India in khaTi! (monsoon) as well as in rabi (winter)
season, for both grain fodder. It forms a good rotation crop
with cotton in the cotton growing tracts.

Classification and breeding . Cultivated forms of

Sorghum are numerous which should be preferably included
under one specific name, Sorghum vulgare Pers. Snowden (1936)
gives an exhaustive account of the cultivat.ed races of Sorghum,
being grown in different parts of the British Empire, which
Snowden, J. D . (1936) . "The cultivated races of Sorghum." Adlard
aDd Son. Ltd., London, 1936.

'131 )

will be found very useful to workers dealing with the improvement of this staple food crop in India.
The plant has been botanically described by Patel and Patel
(1928). Sabnis (1936) isolated 63 types from sampl s collected
from different parts of United Provinces and other parts of India.
He based his study chiefly on (I) period of maturity, (2) compactness of the cob, (3) colour of the grain and (4) yield of grain and
fodder. Promising selections which possess normal growth
period have been isolated for replacing the local vari ties in
United Provinces. Type 46 is considered partially droughtresistant.
The wild sorghums have mostly a deep purple coleoptile.
This gives them a deep purple leaf axil and a purple auricular
and nodal band. Their roots are mostly blackish purple
(gene q ) in colour and consequently their leaf-sheaths and
glumes are blackish purple (A non., 1940).
The bulk of the Asiatic grain sorghums which belong to the
durra sub-series posses es the common purple coleoptile. In the
adult plant the axil only is purple colC'ured. The d eep purple
coleoptile with the attendant deep purple axil, and purple
sheath margin , junction and nodal band, is comparatively rare
and is met with only in S. caudatum, S. caffrorum, S. dochna, and
S. nervosum. The green eoleoptile is very much in evidence in
the caffra and guineensia sub-series of cultivated sorghums which
are predominantly African (Anon., 1940).
Patel and Patel (1928) describ five important Jowar vari ties grown in the SuratDistrict, vi<;., Perio lJhar or Deshi Jowar,
Sholapuri Jowar, Chapti Jowar, Nialo Jowar and Vani Jowar.
Ten pure breeding strains have also been referred to by the
authors.
There are two principal varieties of irrigated CholamChitrai Vellai and Chitrai Maryal, grown in Madras for grain in
the summer (Reddy, 1938). Th Cholam plaIlt in that tract
suffers from the attack of striga, a flowering parasite, which attaches itself to the roots and depletes their sustenance. Crosses
have been made to evolve resistant types (Reddy, 1938). In-

( 138

vestigations on the habit of flowering, chloropbyll deficiencies

in seedlings, colour on glumesand the relation between juiciness
and colour in the mechanical tissue of cholam stalk, have also
been in progress in that province (Reddy, 1938).
There are about 64 different varieties of Jowars grown in
the Central Provinces, differing from one another in the
character of their grain and glume, habit of growth, earliness or
lateness and other characters. The following are some of the
more important agricultural types from amongst these.
1. Kharif varieties.

(a) Grain JQWar :

Local names.
1. Saoner
2. Lamkansi
3. Amneri
4. Dhamna
5. Detha
6. Nilwa
7. Agia Kondal
8. Bedra

Maturity.
Late.
Medium.
Medium.
Late.
Medium.
Late.
Medium.
Medium.

(b) Fodder Jowar :

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
(c)

Argar
Faliar
Langoor
]haiarian
Pawan wandi
Kalabondi

Early.
Early.
Early.
Early.
M edium.
Early.

Grain and fodder Jowar :

1. Ramkel
Dhamna
3. Satpani
4. Alaspuri
5. Kansi Wani
6. Howri

2.

Early.
Late.
Late.
Medium.
Medium.
Medium.

139

II . Rabi varieties.
Ringni and shallu arc the only two juars commonly grown
In this season.
Observations on the correlation between various characters
in sorghums have been made by Ayyangar, Rao and Rajabhooshanam (1938), Ayyangar, Ayyar, Hariharan and Rajabhooshanam ( 1935), Patel and Patel (1928). Valuable information has also been recorded in the report of the agricultural stations, Madras Presidency (Anon., 1940).
Important improved strains, both for grain and fodder, under
cultivation in different provinces, are briefly described below:
Central Prov{nceli a nd Berar.
A late maturing khaij variety, suitable for medium and
heavy black soils which an' retentive of moisture. It is a high yielding
type havinlf large yellow grains, much liked for domestic consumption
in S erar, yields 70n to 1,464 lbs. of grains and 8,042 lbs. of fodder per
acre. Its kadhi (fodder), though coarse, is nutritious and sweet.
Impro u~d Ramkrl. An early maturing kharifvariety, most widely grown in Berar,
being suitable for light and medium soils. Its grain is large:: and creamywhite in colo ur which ripens earlier than Saoner and, therefore, suitable
for tracts with a shorter period of rainfall. It yields 600 to 1,461 lbs. of
grain and 7,154 lbs. of fodder per acre.
Bornbay.
Budhptrio 53. This is a selection from local jowar in Surat District, being a
better yielder than the local.
Maldandi 35-1. This is a selection from local rabi Jowar from Sholapur Districl. Its grain is bolder which ripens early.
United Province .
B. It yields 14 to 22 Md!. ofseed, 140 to 150 Md!. of dry fodder and 350
to 450 Mds. of green fodder per acre.
5 Tall. It yields 13 to 20 Mds. of seed, 130 to 160 Mds. of dry fodder and
350 to 450 Mds. of green fodder per acre.
Da roda Stat e.
Ramktl. It yields 10% higher than the local Malwan.
Impro ved Saorltr.

Sind.
(A) Grain Jowar.

Jowar. Bagdar NO.1. It is well suited for Right Bank areas of the river Indus.
It is a very prolific and late maturing variety. It has yielded, in Dadu
District, upto 35 maunds per acre. This has a short compact head,
containing white coloured grain and bearing reddish spots.

( 140 )
S4tJro Eortuho No . I. It is a 'v ery bigh yielding variety, suited for Panno
Akil and Rohri Talukas of Sukkur and the N awabshah District. It has
a big sized and semi-compact head, containing yellow grain and black
, husk. It grows very tall and ripens very late (over 4 months).
Jowor Acho Kartuho No . I. It is a high yielding and early maturing variety
(3 months) . It is popular in Sukkur Shikarpur G arhi Yasin of lower
Sind. The head is semi-compact with white g rain and husk.
Jowor R ed Jonpur No . 3. It is a hardy droug ht-resistant variety, very well
5uited for Non-Barrage areas of Sind , It gives excellent kadbi (fodd er}
and yields well. The earhead is long and semi-compact and the
grain is red.
Jowar A llakh No. II . Itis known for its pearly white grain of ex cd lent quality.
The earhead is loose. It is best suited for the Uppe r Sind Frontier
District.
Jowor Achho Ba.t.igor. It is a very qui ck maturing (60 days) white grained
variety, suited for short inundation or rainy tract. It has semi-compact
heads and white grain .
Jawar D epar NO.3. It is commonly grown in the Khairpur State and round
about Pad-Idan in Nawabshah District. This strain is high yielding
and it p ossesses medium sized compact conical head with yellowish
coloured grain.
Jowor Acho Kodri No . 115. This is especially suited for Johi Dadu and Schwan
Talukas of Districts on th e Right Bank of the ri ver Indus. I I is high
yielding strong and hardy and bear)! very compact round ea rh eads.
studded with white grains. The head is bent and hence less damaged
by birds.
(8) For/der Jowar.
Jowar Achho Kortuho Turi. A fodder variety, high yielding and early maturing,
which produces good-quality fodder. I t is known for its sweet stem and
high yield of gree~ fodd er and, therefore, highly appreciated as fodder '
jowar.
Jawor Red Turi. A fodder variety, high yielding and early maturing, which.
produces good -quality fodder. It is known for its sweet stem and
high yield of green fodder. It has thinner stem and red grain .
Jawor AcM Tu,i. A fodder variety, high yielding and early maturing, which.
produces good quality fodder. It is also known for its sweet ~tem. It
also possesses thinner stem and white grain.
/(:tltlltWiri. It is a good green fodder and it yields :1-3 cuttings.
H..uy Sorgllllm. It it also a satisfactory green fodder, yielding 11-3 cuttings.
J- ItIIiM. 3. Both, grain and fodder, yield. are more than the local variety~
I tit. IClcctioo from Rtmlbl, one of the C. P. Jowan.

141

MADRAS
A. S. 2g. Periamanjal cholam (Sorghum durra). Its grain is yellow and IS rainfed,
duration being 130 days. In the Coimbatore District it is considered
good for both grain and fodder, and in other parts of the Presidency it
has a reputacioo for good fodder.
A . S. 389'

Sen cholam (S . subglabra.rcens). Its grain is red and raised mostly

under irrigation, duration being 95 days. It is suitable to parts
of the Trichinopoly District.

A. S. Oog. Chinnamanjal cholam (S. sub.glabrascens). Its grain is yellow and

raised as irrigated crop, duration being 100 days. It is suitabie to par~
of the Coimbatore District.
A. S. 1543.

Vellai cholam (S. subglabrascer.s). its grain is white and raised as

irrigated crop, duration b:ing 110 days. It is suitable to parts ofme
Coimbatore District.

A. S. 1575.

Vellai cholam (S. subglabrascens). Its grain is white and raised 85

irrigated crop, duration being 105 days. Suitable to parts of the
Coimbatore and Trichinopoly Districts.

A. S. 2095. Vellai &holam (S. subglabraJCens). Its grain is white and raised as

irrigated crop, duration being 100 days. It is suiLable for the Coimbatore, Trichinopoly, Madura an'd Tinnevelly Districts.
A. S. 3355. Fodder cholam, a mutant. (S. durra ). It has juicy and very sweet
stalka (sucrose 13%) and gives heavier cut of fodder than Periamanjal
cllolam, which is usually grown for fodder in the Central and Southern
Districts of the Presidency.
M. 47-3' Ityields400Ibs.ofgrainandI2001bs. of straw per acre
..d. S. 3313. Talaivlrichan. It is a rainfed strain with white grain, maturing
in approximately 140 days.
A. S. 33J6. Pakha gonna. It is a good fodder strain for which purpose it is
ready in about 60 days after sowing. Grahi is yellow which ripens in
approximately JOO days.

PUNJAB.
(Juar-fodddr. ).
Jowar No. 20 H. It is a very tall growing non-sweet'.t:riilir with slender stelnl
and medium broad leaves, head being long and lax. Seed is brown with
persilltent dark purple or black glumcs. It has given 500 Md!. of green
stuff per acre and makes hay of good keeping quality.
Jowar No. lU H. It is a sweet seleCtion with medium thick stem and broad
leaves. It has a medium lax ear and creamy seeds. Outturns of 587
maunds of green fodder per acre have been obtained. In the North
Punjab its superiority over other JOWlUS haa beeD definitely established.

142 )

J~war

No. 100 H. It is a new promising selection, being very sweet with

Dll:dium thick stems and broad leaves. Head is big and compact and
seed, phunp with attractive light creamy colour. It gives good fodder
and seed yield. It has given the highest outturns of green fodder.
Sudan grars (Anirapogon S()rghum VQr. SudafICnsis). It rip ns in approximately
5') day, fJr fo::lder and go day, for gr <no It is an annual plant with a
high tillering capacity, giving a number of cuttings of green fodder to
the extent of 300 to 600 Md~.

Natural crossing. Observations on pollination and

cross fertilization in the Juar (AndropogoTI sorghum) were made
by Graham (1916) at Nagpur. He observed natural crossing to
be varying between 06 and 200%. Kotturand Kulkarni (1922)
working at Dharwar record this value to be ranging between
03 and 120%. Patel and Patel (1928) from Surat mphasize
that the cross-fertiliz,ation value in this plant would vary
according to: he position, the nature of the variety from which
contamina tion takes place, the distance from the source of contamination, and the prevailing environmental conditions. They
record its variability from 90% or less in some seasons to 450%
or more upto 500% in other seaons. Patel (1926) observed it
to the extent of 250% in J owar, raised three feet apart. At
Coimbatore crossing upto 90% was experienced (Ayyangar,
1932). In an earlier publication the author records 7% of
natural crossing in the summer Cholam (Ayyangar, 1924).
Kulkarni (1935) from Poona records cross-fertilization in
MaldandiJowar to be ranging from Oto 123%. Contamination
was found to be as far away as 40 feet. It has, therefore, been
suggested that the strains under multiplication should be sown
at least 40 feet away.
Observations, made on the opening of flower anthesis and
pollination in different varieties of Sorghum, have been recorded by Ayyangar and Rao (1931).
Genetics. Seedling character. Ayyangar, PonnaiyaandReddy
(1938) record the presence of purple pigmentation (anthocyanic) in the late seedling stage of Sorghum . .It manifests itself
from the third seedling-leaf upto the eighth to tenth seedlingleaf. A gene designated as PLS controls this character. It is

( 1.3

African in origin and the local Indian sorghums do not show

this character. A gene CaL is shown (Ayyangar, Rao and
Ponnaiya, 1938h) to be responsibl for the bluish-green tint,
whereas chi gives green seedlings, the former being a
simple dominant.
D epth of leaf green. There are three grades : dark green
(S. caffrorum) , green (most of the sorghums) and light green
(broom corn and Chinese sorghums) . These have a genic background, the darker green being dominant to the lighter green
(Anon ., 1940).
Pigmentation on leaf sheath. Inheritance of pigmentation on
leaf-sheath and glume was studied by Ayyangar, Vijiaraghavan, Pillai and Ayyar (1933). They record that the colour
of the leaf-sheath and the colour on the glume go together.
Purple-pigmentation is found to be dominant over brown and
is controlled by a factor P. Among the purple-type two
colours are distinguished, reddish-purple and blackish-purple,
the latter being recessive and.their inheritance being controlled
by a factor Q..
Mid-rib. The gene for yellow mid-rib colour is designated
Ymd and is a monogenic dominant to ymd (non-yellow). It is
independent of the gene for pithy stalk, but is linked with the
gene for reddish purple leaf-sheath colour, the cross-over percentage being 35'5 (Ayyangar and Ayyar, 1940).
Desiccation of the edges of leaves. Ayyangar, Rao and Nambiar
(1935 a) studied the inheritance of non-drying(S. caffrovum}
and drying (S . canditum). Drying was observed to be dominant
Md in Fl and 3 :. 1 segregation was observed in Fl'
Leaf-tip hairiness. The inheritance of hairiness of leaf-tip
in Sorghum and its relationship with other factors have been determined by Ayyangar and R.eddy (19'39 a) as follows:
Many of the sorghum varieties have spines cent hairs on the
tips of their leaves on the top side. A few varieties (especially
S. Roxhurghii Stapf.) have .glabrous leaf-tips. In crosses between
these two types, hairiness on the leaf tip proved to be a monogenic dominant. This hairiness is linked to the awn with a

144 )

43% cross-over value and to the feathering at the tip of the

stigma with a 25% cross-over value. The awn is linked to
the feathering of stigmatic tips with 18% cross-over value. The
hairiness of the leaf tip is independent in inheritance of the
h airiness on the nodal band, the P factor of the leaf sh ath
colour and the W factor of peri carp colour. The awn and the
feathering of sti gmatic tops are each of them independent in
inheritance of the hairiness of the nodal band, P of leaf sheath
and W of grain pericarp. The hairiness of the nodal band is
independent of P of leaf sh ath and W of grain pericarp.
Disposition of the leaf-blade. Ayyangar, Rao and Nambiar
(1935 a) studied the inheritance of flat disposition of the leafblade (S. caffrovum) and wavy disposition of the leaf-blade
(S. canditwn). Wavy Mu was found to be dominant in Fl and
3 : 1 ratio was observed in F ,.
Disposition of the specialised tisSUG at the junction of leaf-blade and
leaf-sheath. Ayyangar, Rao and Nambiar (1935 a) observed
the smooth disposition of the specialised tissue (S. caffrouum) to
be dominant (Jc) to the ' corrugated disposition (S. canditum)
and 3 : 1 ratio was observed in F 2'
Sap-coloUT. The presence of a sap-colour, characterised by
redness in the leaves, grain, dry stigma and anther, was
observed to be dominant to its absence (Graham, 1916).
Length of internode. Ayyangar and Nambiar (1938) record
a new gene ball as responsible for an extreme reduction in
the internodal length, producing tiny plants which are usually
sterile, in l y b eing a simple monogenic recessive.
Stalk. Chadwick (1915) and Hilson (1916) record that
sweetness in the stalk of sorghum varieties is recessive,
pithy nature of the stalk being dominant.
In sorghums with pithy stalks the midrib of the Leaf is white
in colour. Wheret he stalk is juicy the coloUl of the midirb IS
dull green. In juice extraction the dull i about twice the white.
The white midrib (pithy stalk-factor D ) is a simple dominant
to dull midrib Uuicy stalk-factor d). These two types of midribs
are the commonest. The other variants of these two types are

145 )

the dull whit~ and streaky 01111. Thr- dull white is about twt,
percent. more in extraction than the white and is a simple recessive to it. The streaky dull is about two percent. less in
extraction than the dull and is a simple dominant to it. There
is a linkage he tween the juiciness in the stalk and purple in
th coleoptile and axil. Onc of the two factors, responsible for
this pigmcntation, is linked to th streaky dull midrib with
about 17 percent. cross-over value and to the dull midrib with
about 28 percent. (Anon. , 1940 ) .
Clzlorophyll deficiencies . Five types of chlorophyll deficiencies
have been recorded by Ayyang<!.r (1934), viz., lethal white,
lethal virescent white, lethal pale, lingering lethal pale and
surviving pale. They behave as recessive to the normal green:
Ayyangar and Ayyar (1932) observed distorted 3 : 1 ratioi n
one type which has been attributed tothe presence of a zygotic
letha l factor.
Ayyangar and Reddy (1937) record two more types of such
deficiencies which are lethal, viz., xantha and patchy albinos
A gene y. is responsible for xantha seedlings (yellow), Y. producing normal green. A gene alp controls patchy albinos,
Alp resulting in the normal green seedlings.
There are indications of a linkage between the purple pigmentation of the coleoptile and a type of hlorophyU deficiency,
resulting in lethal pale green seedlings. A new type of patchy
pale has been m et with in a selection from Rhodesia. Dight
green patches develop on the early seedling leaves, the patches
being evident more in the lower surface. These patches are
confined to the first few seedling leaves, the later leaves being
normal. The seedling mass is light green in colour. The
plants, developing from these seedlings, are weak and are
easily susceptible to the attack of the shoot borer. This
character behaves as a monogenic recessive to the norma
green (Anon., 1940).
Spikelets. Ramanathan (1924) records the dominance of
red pediceU d spike1ets over the non-pigm nted ones.
The deciduous pedicelled spikelets of Sorghum margariti-

146 )

.erum Stapf. b have as a simple recessive to persistent pedicelled

spikelets of Sorghum durra Stapf. (Ayyangar, Rao and Reddy,
1937).
Ayyangar and Reddy (1940 a) observed purple pigmented
hairs on the spikelets to be a monogenic dominant to the usual
hyaline condition.
Panicle. Ramanathan (1924) records simple dominance
of the loose panicle over the compact nature. Ayyangar (1934)
mentions that in S. neruosum Bess. loose-conical character
behaves as a simple dominant to the compact-spindle.
In the group of sorghum S. dochna (Forsk) Snowden, two
types of panicles have been observed, viz., loose-conical type
and compact-spindle type (Ayyangar and Ayyar, 1935). A factor
Pal produces loose conical earheads and pal gives compact
spindle-shaped earheads. Pa l pal are closely linked to the
factors Z., responsible for the thickness of mesocarp and the
deposit of starch in it, with 1' 07% cross-over.
Glumes. It has been recorded that in certain varieties of
African sorghum the glumes are tinted purple at the time when
the heads emerge from the boot, being controlled by a gene
Gep . [Curro Sci., (1937) 5 : 590 : also see Ayyangar and Reddy,
1940 dJ.
Ramanathan (1924) observed a simple monO-hybrid ratio
between wrinkled and non-wrinkled glumes. He also records
that the glumes with red tips are dominant tothos without the
red tips. The gaping glume condition of S. roxblJrghii Stapf.
has been found to be a simple recessive to the normal glum s
(Ayyangar, 1934). According to Ayyangar and Reddy (1940c,e.)
small ovate glumes with short awns are a monogenic dominant
to big elliptic spikelets with long awns. Graham (1916) mentions short glutnes to be dominant to long ones.
Crosses between Sorghum papyrescens Stapf. and Sorghum durra
Stapf. showed that durra characters were recessive. Monohybrid ratios were observed (Ayyangar and Rao, 1936 c). A
factor py is responsible for papery glume (papymcens character),
and PY for coriaceous glume (durra character).

147

Ramanathan (1924) observed that feity hairiness on the

outermost glume, the rachis and the band above the node go
together and behave as dominant to the sparsely to practically
no hairy condition. Further inheritance was not fo~lowed
precisely.
Awn. Ayyangar (1934) records that long awns are a
simple recessive to nil awns. In some races long : short: nil
are observed in 1 : 2 : I ratio respectively.
Ayyangar and Reddy (1940) observed hairy stylar awns
to be monogenic dominant.
The type of awn, typical of S. guineense Stapf., behaves as
a monogenic recessive to the common type (Ayyangar and
Reddy, 1940 c).
Ligtlle and auricle. The inheritance of ligulate and auticulate
characters was studied by Ayyangar, Rao and Nambiar (1935 b)
who observed eligulate and non-auriculate conditions to be
recessive and the character is controlled by a single factor Lg.
Colour of subule. Ayyangar, Rao and Nambia~ (1935b)
observed the purple subule (S. canditum) to be dominant Ap
to colourless subulc (S. durra) and in F2 3 : 1 ratio was noticed.
Stigma. Ayyangar and Nambiar (1939) found that the bushy
feathered and sparse feathered stigmas show a monogenic differene, the former being dominant (SB-sb).
Ayyangar and Reddy (1939b) followed th inh~ritance of
basal feathered stigmas and basal barb d subules. According to
these authors, a gene StBF, Cen tral and Eastern African in origin
is responsible for the stigmas being fully feathered. Stbp results
in stigmas whos bases alon are feathered, leaving the top onethird to two-thirds of the feath ry area devoid of feath rs and
simply colUmnar. This restricted feathering noes not affect
seed setting and has been noted to occur in varieties with gaping
glumes. StBr is. a simple dominant toStBI'. In awned varieties
this differentiation in the feathery area shows a parallel effect
in the homologous organ, i. e., the subule of the awn. When the
stigma is fully feathered, the subule is fully barbed and when the
stigma is basal feathered, the subule is basal barbed. StB..-

148 ).

Stbp factor pair behaves independent of the sheath colour

factors P and Q. and of the grain colour factors B1 B z and W.
Almost aU the sorghums hav a hyaline non-purpl pigmented
stigma. A few races, however, have purple stigmas which are
a simple monogenic dominant to the normal colourless ones
(Anon. , 1940).
Anther. Ayyangar, Rao and R eddy (1938) record a gene
designated as Pan (a simple dominant) which determines the
expression of purple in the anther, its ab ence pan producinr.;
yellow coloured anther.
Pan is independ nt of one of the B
factors determining the brown colour of the grain, Q. conditioning the colour of the leaf-sheath and of the factor responsible for the production of brown colour in the nucellar layer
of the grain.
The empty anther sac character in sorghum (Sorghum
durra Stapf.) behaves as a simple recessive (Ayyangar and
Ponnaiya, 1936).
Maturity. Ayyangar, Ayyar and Nambiar (193'7 a, b) studied
the inheritance of short-early and tall late character in sorghum.
In the first group there are about ten internodes with
a uni-mod '\1 distribution in length from the bas ' upwards,
while in th: s 'cond there are nearly seventeen internod s exhibiting a b i-'Tlodal disposition in length. A factor In\ controls
the production of the first condition, whereas in1 , the second
one, the former being a simple dominant and independent of the
factor :0 for pithy stalks.
Short--early plants of S. durra behave as dominant to
tall late (Ayyangar, 1934). The same author also records a
tall plant of the same duration appearing as mutant among
dwarfs of S. Roxburghii var. mans. It proved heterozygous
for height, tallness being dominant.
Shedding. The shedding character in sorghum has been
shown to be a simple recessive to the non-shedding character, the
genes responsible, being designated as Sh-sh (Ayyangar, R ao
and Pa"nnaiya, 1936).
One of the wild African shedding types.
M. S. 1484, received from Kew, was used in the cross.

149

Grain. Inheritance of grain colours in sorghum was studied

by Ayyangar, Vijiaraghavan, Ayyar and Rao (193'3 a). They
distinguished red, yellow and white colours in grains. Yellow,
b ein:; consider d basic colour, is controlled by a factor Y, while
factor R produces red grains. The presence of a factor W determin'!s the manifestation of colour in wholeness. In its absence
R gi ves only a white grain with a red base and Y gives a white
grain with a yellow base. The dry anther colours show parallelism to grain colour and may help in their separation. The
intensity of colour is determined by a factor I and is well notiQt:d
in th:: red group. Absence of I ill red results in a pink grain.
Ayyangar, Rao and Nambiar (1939) record a factor, designated
as PD, producing purple blotches on the grain, PB being a
simple dominant to ph. This pair of factors is independent of
P GT- p gt whi h is responsible ior the presence or absence of a purple tipon the grains. Ayyangar (1934) observed that two factors
B1 and Ba arc responsible for the production of a full brown colour on the grain, produced by their concurrent presence. The
action of th ese factors depends on the presence of W which controls th~ expression of pericarp colour. According to the author
the interplay of the B factors which are notanthocyanic, over and
above the anth:>cyanic red and yellow and their colourless allelomorphs, leads to the wealth of blended colours met with in
sorghum. Ayyangar, Vijiaraghavan, Ayyar, and Subramanyam (1934) also refer to the inheritance of brown colour
in grains of sorgh um.
Sorghum grains are of two kinds, Pear{v and Chalky.
The former is dominant to the latter and monogenic segregation is observed, the factor being designated as Z (Ayyangar,
Vijiaragh3.van, Ayyar and Rao, 1934). Ayyangar, Ayyar,
R ao and Nambi'il.r (1936b) studied the inheritance of dimpled
grain> which frequently occur in Sorghum cernuum. The factor
Dp gives the normal well-filled grains, while dp produces the
d impled ones. Ayyangar, R ao and Ponnaiya (I938a) record a
gene PGT as responsible for this purp! -tip on the top of the grain.
I n th e presence of Q. th e spot is reddish purple and with q it

150

is blackish purple. The purple on the tip of the grain belongs

to the same series as th leaf-sheath purple and the glume purple
that goes with it. This factor is independent of W which determines the manifestation of pericarp colour in wholeness.
Multiple seededness in sorghum has been recorded by Ayyangar
and Ayyar (1929) and Ayyangar and R ao (1936b) . The latter
record that crosses b tween the double seeded and the singl
seeded varieties showed the former condition to be dominant.
This condition is the result of ( J) xtra fertility in the axil of on(."
o~ the usu';\lly empty glumes, (2) the onnateness of the grain,
and (3) a combination of both of these. Connateness and extra
fertility are gov med by independent genes. The connate
condition is a simple recessive to the normal single condition.
In one of th~ connate races, belonging to S. cauda tum from
Africa, th"! following repercussions to connateness wcre noticed:
(I) stray twin midribs and (2) twin fl ags (Anon., 1940).
Ayya!1!{ar, R ao and Nambiar ( 1935 a) studied the inheritance of u'11bonate shape of grain (S. caffrovum) and round shape
of grain (S . canditum) and observed the former to be dominant
U and in F 2 , 3 : I ratio was noticed .
A variety of sorghum from Tanganyi ka named Kinungampombo belonging to S. conspicuum var, conspicuum, Snowden, has
scented grains. The scent is somewhat similar to scented rice.
Seedlings emit the scent as also the adult leaves when rushed.
In crosses with non-scented varieties, the scented grain character
proved to be a monogenic recessive (Anon., 1940).
Appearance of bulbi/so Bulbils in sorghum were observed
in the second generation of certain crosses involving doubleseeded and sing! -seeded varieties (Ayyangar and Rao, 1935 a).
Sterility. The occurrence of panicle-tip sterility in sorghum
has been recorded by Ayyangar and Ponnaiya (1939 b). This
character is controlled by a single factor pair, normal panid s
PATS being dominant to panicles with sterile tips PA ts.
Linkage. Some references to li.nkage between various factors
.have already been made under different characters. Complete
linkage .is observed between Q.q (factors for leaf-sheath and

151

glume colour) and Db (factors for brown colour n dry an'tbP~

and grain) by Ayyangar, Ayyar and Rao (1934).
Ayyangar (1934) records anthers with purple colour at theIr
bases to be closely linked to brown grains which segregate as
dominants to white grains, possess ing no purple in the anthers.
Ayyangar (1936) has shown that the gene g (determining
a blackish purpl leaf-sheath) is linked with the gene producing
nllcellar brown.
According to Ayyangar and Nambiar (1938 a) most of the
African races of Sorghum have a blackish-purple leaf-sheath
and glume, brown colour in the dry anther and a brown wash
on their grain (gg BB). The Asiatic races are predominantly
characterised by having a reddish purple leaf-sheath and ,glume,
no brown colour in the dry anther and no brown wash on their
grains (Q.Q.bb) . There is a complete linkage between Q.g and
Bb . This has been stablished in . both, the repulsion and
coupling phases.
A pithy stalk has been found to be a simple dominant to a
uicy stalk DDdd (Ayyangar, Ayyar and Ran, 1936) . A linkage
between the factor and '() with a recombination percentage of
30 1'8 was observed by Ayyangar, Ayyar and Rao (1937) in
a cross involving S. Roxburghii var. !!ians Stapf. and S. cernuum
Host.
The inheritance of waxy bloom was studied by Ayyangar,
R ao, Nambiar and Ponnaiya (1937). Th heavy bloomed condition H is a simple dominant to the Sparse bloomed condition h .
The authors record that the factor H is independent in inheritance of the leaf-sheath colour factors, P , Q., leaf margin disposition factor Mu, grain surface structure factor Z and the
brown grain factors B1 and B 2
Ayyangar and Ponnaiya (1939a) record that hairiness on
the mid-rjb edges MDH is a simple monogenic dominant to the
h air! ss condition NPh. Th y arc ind p ndent in inheritance
of X-x, the pair of genes r sponsible for the marufestation of
white and dull ~dribs in leaves (pithy and juicy stalks).

l52 )

'['here is a linkage between juiciness of stalk and purple in

the leaf-sheath (Anon., 1940).
PC (purple coleoptile) is a monogenic dominanttopc (green
coleoptile). PJ (d cp purple coleoptile and purple junction)
which could express its If only in the presen e of PC, is a simple
monogenic dominant to pj . The colcoptilar pigment gene PC
is linked to the root pigment P with a cross over value of about
18 percent. Thus colours of the shoot and the root of seedlings
afford a clue to the distribution of the purple pigment in adult
plants (Anon., 1940).

Mu and Jc are independent of the grain colour factor W

and of Md, the latt r operating independently of grain colour
factors R and I and of factors Mu and Je. Factor U does not
effect W. Factor Ap behaves independently of R , I and Md
(Ayyangar, Rao and N ambiar, 1935 a).
Crosses were mad between van ties of Sorghum guineense
Stapf. which put on a purple colour just immediately after
emerging from the boot and emerging green. FI was emerging
purple and in F2 a simple monohybrid ratio was observ d.
Thus the gene Gep is a simple dominant to gep which is
independent of the gene Q., determining the nature of the
pigment (Ayyangar and Ponnaiya, 1937).

Deferences to inter-specific and inter-generic crosses.

S. durra xS. papyrescens (Ayyangar, 1934; Ayyangar and
Rao, 1936 C).
S. cernuum X S. nervosum (Ayyangar, 1934).
8. cauditum X 8. durra tAyyangar, Rao and Nambiar, 1935a).
S. caffrovum X S. canditum (Ayyangar, Rao and Nambiar,

1935 a).
S. Roxburghii X S. cernuum (Ayyangar, Ayyar and Rao,
1937) .
R eferences to crosses between Sorghum and Saccharum have
been recorded in Chapter VIII on sugarcane.
Cytology. Chromosome number in Andropogon sorghum
was reported to be 2n==o20 (Rau, 1929), whereas in Sorghum

153

halepense and Sorghum sudanense, 2n-40 and 2n=20 respectively

(Ayyangar and Ponnaiya, 1937). Supernumerary chromosomes
in parasorghum (S. Pur.!Jucro serictum, Ashers et schwent, 2n = 10
to 14) which are supposed to be impoverished genes, have been
recorded by Ammal ( 1939) .
Mutation s. A mutant with brownish purple-lined internode, leaf sh ath, mid-rib, panicle branched and glume lOp,
has b en rccorded by Ayyangar and Nambiar (1936) . It proved to be a simple recessive to the ommon green intern oded
and while mid-ribbed plant. A factor IDtp gives a mechanical
tissue which is coloured brownish purple. Mtp gives the

-ordinary green internode of the common sorghum. T he

-occurrence of recurrent pseudo-mutations in the s ed-coat and
nucellus colour of sorghum grains is recorded by Ayyangar,
Ayyar and Nambiar ( 1939).
Acc lilDatizatioD. Three American varieties of grain
jowars, viz., yellow Milo, spur Feterita and Kaffir Black Hill
were tried in ind but none proved useful (J enkins, 1932). An
imported American fodder jowar known as Honey Sorghum
was alsl') grown in the same province whic;h proved promising
but gave low yield of grains (Jenkins, 1934).
General. Anther, stigma and grain colour affinities
in sorghum have be n studied by Ayyangar, Vijiaraghavan,
Ayyar and Rao (1933 b) and anther, pollen and stigma by
Ayynagar and Rao (1936 a) .
Fertile pedicelled spikelets were observed in some species
-of sorghums (Ayyangar and R ao, 1955 b).
Vivipary in Sorghum papyrescens tapf. was observed by
Ayyangar and R ao (1935 d), forked awns and leaf blades by
Ayyangar, Ponnaiya and R eddy (19'35) and mid-rib forking by
Ayyangar and Subramanyam (1930).
T he homology of stigmas and awns has been studied by
Ayyangar and Rao, (1935 a, c) & Ayyangar and R eddy (1936 a)
a nd panicle structure by Ayyangar and R ajabhooshanam
( 1939).

154 )

As against the purple pigmentation at the adult stage, the

seedlings in the very early stages are distinguished into those
possessing purple coleoptile and those possessing green coleoptile. Th e roots of such seedlings mayor may not show purple
pigmentation. [Bgrie. J. India (1930) 25 : 262-63 and
Madras agrie. J. (1934), 22 : 1-11].
In two races, one Indian and the other African, of Sorghum
papyrescens, cleistogamous flowers have been recorded by
Ayyangar, Rao and Reddy (1936 b).
Dummy
ollen have been observed in some vari ties of
sorghum (Ayyangar and Rao, 1935 b).
Cracked grains were observed in the following species by
Ayyangar, Rao and Reddy (1936 a):
Sorghum eaffrovum Beauf.
Sorghum rotundulum Stapf.
Sorghum guineense Stapf.
Awned palea in sorghum has been observed by Ayyangarand R eddy (1936 b).
The occurr nce of grain-bearing fertile pedicelled spikeletswith awns led Ayyangar and Rao (1935 b) to believe that there
exists a homology 'Qetween stigmas and awns in sorghum and
they conclude that genetic factors seem to affect homologous.
expressions.
The occurrence of hollow grains and hollow peduncles in
S. nigrieans has been recorded by Ayyangar and Narayanan
(1938).

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Chadwick, D. T. (1915). Rep. op,rations Dep. agric. MadrlU Presidene7'
19 1 4- 1 5.
Graham, R. J. D . (1916). Pollination and cross-fertilization in thejl.UJr plant
(Andropogon Sorghum Brot.). Mem. D,p. tIlrie. India, (Bot. Ser.), 8 : 201216.
Hilson, G . R. (1916). A note on the inheritance of certain .tem characten
in Sorghum. Agrie. J. India, I I : 150-155.
Hutchinson,J. B., Panse, V. G., Apte, N . S. and Pugh, B. M. (1938). Studiel
in Plant breeding technique III. Crop analr-is and varietal improvement in Malvi Jawar (Andropogon sorghum). IndUln. J . agrie. Sci., ,
13 1- 15 2
Jenkin., W.J. (1932). AnnIUJIR,p. D,p. agrie. Sind, 1930-31; 62.
Jenkins, W . J. (1934), Annual Rip. Dep . agrie. Sind, 19311-33 : 85'
Kottur, G. L. and Kulkarni, R. K. (1922). CrolS-fertilization in jowar
(Andro/JIIl:on S~rlhMm). Alrie. J. India, 17 : 413-416.
Kulkarni , R. K. (1935)' Cro_fertilization in Maldilndijowar. Puona agric.
Coli. Mag., 27 : 72- 78.
Mahta, D. N. (193 I). Annual RIp. "onomie botanist for eotlon. DIp. agrie. C'rUrtU
Provinces and Betar, 1930-31.
Patel, G. B. (1926). The extent of natural cross-fertilization injowar (Andropogon sorghum) at Surat. Agrie. J. India, 81 : 366-370.
Patel, M. L. and Patel, G. B. (1928) . Studies in thejowars of Gujarat (I).
Thejowars of the Surat District. Mem. Dip. agrie. India (Bot . Set.), 16 :
I-57
Ramanathan, V. (1924), Some observation. on mendelian characters in
Sorghum. MadrlU agrie. J ., 12 : 1-17.
Rau, N. S. (1929). J. Indian But. Soc., 8 : 126-1118.
Reddy, P. H . R . (1938) . Rep. operations DIp. agrie. Mad{a~ Presidency, 1937-38 :
11-12.
Sabnis, T. S. (1936). Studies in lndian millets: The type. of jowar isolated at
~e Government Research Farm, Cawnporc. Agr". Liv,_StIc. IndUl,
I : 506-516.
Youngman, W. and Roy, S. C. (1924) , Pollination methods amongst the
leuer millets. Proc. lotb Indian S.i. CongrlSS ("",".): 192-193.

BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
B~al (19(>8-g). Jowar and fodder crop. in Bengal.
B"".(I.1 (1918). Chaffing jowar fodder before .tacking.

( 160 )
Bombay (1918). Increasing the production of irrigated wheat andjowar.
BllTTlbay (1919). Cultivation ofjowar on varkas lands as a kharijcrop in the
Konkan.

Bomba_y ( 191 9).

Classification and description of jowars of the

Bombay

Kamatak.

BllTTlbay (1920). Cultivation of shala jowar on the rabi lands of the North
Konkan.

BllTTlbay (1927). Method of obtaining good jowar seed in the East Deccan.
Bombay (1928) . Selcctiom in the jowars of th" l\omh,y Presidency (Bombay
Karnata!< ) -by C. L. K ottur and V. M. C " ar n.
Aladras (1905-06). The great millet or Sorghum ill l'vi adras.
Sind (1928-29) . Thejowars o(th" Surat District- by M. L . Patel and G. B.
Patel. (Annual Rtp . D eJ). agrie. Bombay Pre.,ideney, 192B-29 ).
Sind (1931-32 ). Improved varieties of jowar in Sind.
United Provinus. Cultivation of broom corn- by S. S. N ehru .

United Pro vinces. Improved jowar varieties and their importance in cu ltivation, in United Provinces- by T . S. Sabnis.
United ProvinuJ . Notes on agricultural c rops- jowar, AlldroJ)ogon sorghumby T. S. Sabnis.

fi~

PEARL MILLET

Pennisetum Rich . Pennisctum typhoideum Ri ch. Gramin eae.

Pennisetum typhoideum Ri ch . (P. typlwidesStapf.and Hubbard),

the pearl millet, known locally as bajra or bajri is an important dual-purpose crop of India. The millet is protogynous.
I t5 genetical investigation, therefore, presents great practical
difficulties.
A morph'Jlogical description of this species is given by Godbole (1928). He describes a number of vari eties isolated from the
material collected from different parts of the Bombay Presidency.
Molliaon (1901)" Gammie (190B) and Patvardhan (1927) also
record obeerva.tiG&w on d:u: local varieties of that province.
A reference to an awnless variety of bajra has been made
by Main (1907-8), which was tried at the Dhulia Agricultural
Station, Bombay Presidency.
176 different strains of this crop have been mentioned by
Mahta (1931 ).

( 1St )
An African variety, known as Jamnagar Giant, has been
tried in the Central Proyinces (Pande, 1938). Acclimatization
of a number of African Bajri types has also been carried out
in Sind and several varieties have been selected which are
divided under two groups (Thadani, 1940), viz.,
1. Very early maturing, short compact headed with low
yield of main culm .
2. Late maturing, long headed with higher yield of main
culm.
Certain abnormalities of the African pearl millet, grown in
the Baroda State, were described by Likhite and Patil (1936).
Burns ( 1924) recognised three groups in this crop viz., (a)
tnose entirely hairle~s, ( Ii ) those with hairs at the base of the
leaves only and (c) those ha iry all over the sheath, base and
leaves. H e also observed that hairl ess plantsare bigger individuals
with a smaller dea th rate and higher yield and that, as hairiness
in creases, so do th e siz e and yield decrease and the death rate
in creases. I t is also r ecorded that there are individuals which
possess hairin ess and also large yield. It is considered that the
progeny of these hairy high-yielding individuals may be useful
as hairiness is probably associated with drought resistance.
Ayyanger, Hariharan and Rajabhooshanam (1936) record
the relation of some plant characters with yield: The number
of heads is correlated with yield, the other factors being but
slightly correlated. The average yield per head is correlated
with the yield of main car-head. The yield of the main earhead is correlated with the length, the diameter and the surface
area of the ear-head, the thickness of peduncle, and the height
of the main axis, while the length of the peduncle bears no
correlation with the yield.
Improved strains of bajTa, evolved 111 different provinces,
are as follows:Bombay- Strain No. 207.
United Provinces- No. 11 and No . 16.
.Notes on agricuitll.ral croJ5s-' Bajra' (Pennisdum typhoidtum Rich .) Dtp.
alric., United Provinces-by 'T. S. Sabnis.

162 )

Punjab- No. A 1/
Sincl- Jamnagar Giant aud Sujawal llariety.
Baroda Sta te- Tw o varieties.
The spikelet bearin g b ristles which are the prolongations
of the fascicle axis have been observed by Ayyangar, Pilla i and
H ariharan ( 1935) and the basal branching by Ayyangar, H arih ara n a nd R amakrishn an ( 1935), the la tter beh avi ng as a
simple r ecessive to the n orma l rod-like in fl orescen ce.
Ayyangar a nd H a riharan (1936) record a bristled pearl
millet. Th e condi tion in which the b ristles a re stl pp rf>ssed and
rem ain below th e grain surface is recessive to that in which th e
ear-heads sh ow bristles of lengths from shor t to full.
The occu rrence of c hl orophyll defi ciencies in this crop has
been reco rd ed by Ayyangar (1934) . All a lbinos proved letha l
and were of three types, viz., p ure whites, white with the leaf
tip greenish , and crcam coloured leaves. The segrega ti on was
observed to vary from 1'5 : 1 to 20 : I , indicating the existence
of a number of factors for chlorophyll.
It h as been sh own tha t in this crop conta mina tion occurs
through the muslin bags and that inbreeding results in d ecreased vigour a ccompanied with various disabilities (K adam,
1938).
Observations on a n t hesis were m ad e by Ayyangar , Vijiaraghavan a nd Pilla i ( 1933) and Ayyangar ( 1924) .
Barve ( 1932) records an interesting fact observed in hajra
plants, grown for pl ant-breeding purposes out of the normal
season. H e observed tha t n One of the unbagged earheads in
the ReId produ ced an y grain, the cause b eing apparently the
lack of fertilizati ori while those earheads that were bagged produced seed whioh showed di stinct improvement in size and
colour over wha t is seen in the normal monsoon season. Nonfertilization in the unbagged heads was possibly due to the premature "Withering of the stigmas exposed to hot dry winds. In
the bag;;ed heads the stigmas were protected and hence probably receptive. The author has not explained the cause of

163

the better size and luster of the seed, produced in those bags.
With the advent of rains, seed-setting began on the tillers that
were then produced, indicating the probable correctness of the
theory of the drying of the stigmas, being one of the causes of
non-fertilization in hot weather.
The diploid chromosome number in this species was reportcd by Rau ( 1929) to he 14 v.hi ch are large in size. The
chromosom es, especially the meioti c ones, both in pollen mother
cells and m egaspore moth er cells, were studied by Rangaswami
(1935 ) . At la te diplotene in poll en mothcr cells and megaspore mother cells three chiasmata (two terminal and one interstitial) in every pair were observed . At diakinesis the interstitial chia5rna gets terminaliscd and therefore the ring types
of bivalents appear.
Krishnaswamy and Ayyangar ( 1941) record a highly sterile
autotripl oid, 2n = 21, in the pead-millet obtained from the progeny of a sterile pl a nt whidl was supposed to be female-sterile.
The effect of a weak dose of unfiltered X-rays on the ovaries, anthers and germinating seeds of P. t)l.bhoidellm was studied
by Kumar and Joshi ( 19309). Neither deleterious nor stimulative effect was produ ced when the ovaries and anthers wer.e
involved. The X-rayed germinating seeds, on the other hand,
resulted in the weakening of progenies, although the weakening was not consid ered statistically significant.
An instance of xenia in pearl millet has been recorded by
Patel (1939) .
BIBUOGRAPHY.
Ayyangar, G . N. R. (1924)' A note on the anthesis of Pennisetum tyPhoid_.
Proc. Indian Sci. GOllgr., I I : l!j I.
Ayyangar, G. N . R . (1934.). Recent work on the genetics of millets in India.
Madras agric. ]., U : 16-26.
t\yyangar, G . N. R. and Hariharan, P. V. (1936). Bristled cumbu (pearl
.
. millet). Madras agric. ]', 114 : 235-237 .
~yyangar, G. N . R., .Hariharan, P. V. and Ramakrishnan, S. R. (19:35) '
Basal branching in the ear-heads of the pearl millet-Pmniselum ,typhaides
Stapf. Hubbard. Gurr. S<i. , .. : 237-238.

164 )

Ayyangar, G. N. R., Hariharan, P. V. and Rajabhooshanam, (1936) . The

relation of some plant characters to yield in Curnbu, Penni.... turn typhoid~s
(Burma) Stapf. and Hubbard . -TIlt: pearl millet. Madras agrie. J., fl4 :
!l0 3-20 9

Ayyangar, G. N. R ., Pillai, V. G. and Hariharan, P. V. (1935) ' Studies

on P,nni!etum Iyphoidts (Bum1a) Stapf. and Hubbard (Syn. P. lyJlllOideum
Rich). The pearl millet, Part 11. Spikelet-bearing bristles. Indian
J. atric. Sci., 5 : 638-640.
Ayyangar, G. N. R., Vijiaragh avan, C. and Pillai, V . G. ( 1933) ' Studies on
Pennisetum typhoideum Rich.- The pearl millet, Part r. Alllhesis. indiatl
J. 4griC. Sci ., 3 : 688-694.
lharve, D. B. (1932). Agrie. Live-Slk. india. II : '03.
Buns, W. (1924 )' Annual Rep. De". agrie . Bombty, Ig2!1-!l3: 156.
Gammie, G. A. (1908 ). Field garden crops of thl: Bombay Presid cllC'Y. Bull.
30 : Dep. agrie Bombay , 19013.
Godbolc, S. V. (1928) . Pt7IniselulI1 ~yphoidtum studies on the Bajri nop 1.
The morphology of Penni.f~ tum IJphoidcum. Mem. Dep. Agne. ll1dia, (Bol.
Ser.), 14: 247-268.
~adam, B. S. (1938). Annllal rell. D f.p . agrie. Bombay Province, 1937-38: 228.
IC.flishnaswamy, N. and Ayyangar. G. N. R. (1941). An autotriploid in th e
pearl-millet (PennisBtlim 1.J'PllOidts S. and H .) Proc. Indian Atad. Sci.,
9-23.

.,-B;

Kumar,L.S.S.andJoshi, W. V. (1939). Experiments on the effect of X-ray

on P,nnisltum typhoid,urn Rich. Indian. J. agric. Sci., 9 : 675-6134'
1.ikhite, V. N. and Patil, R . S. (1936). Some abnormalities of the African
pearl millet. Curro Sci., 4 : 4137-488.
Mabta, D. N. (1931 ) . Annual Rep. tCcl1lomic botmlist (cotton). Dep. agric. Cmbal
Provinces and Berar, 1'930-31'.
Main, T. F. (1907-8) . Annual rep. Dhulia agric. station Dep. agric., Bombay,
1907-8 : 10.
Mollison, J. (lgOI). Text book on Indian agriculture, 3 : 283.
Patel, Z. H. (1939). Occurrence of xenia in pea rl millet, Penniseturn typhoidtum
Stapf. and Hubbard. Curro Sci., 8 : 363-364.
PlAde; S. S. (1938). Annual Rep. economic botanist cotton, D,p. agric, Central
PrQviflllls and Berar, 1937-38.
Patvardhan, (1927). An aid to the study of crop breeding Bamb~y Presid'''9.
Ranguwami, K. (1935)' On the cytology of P,nnisetum typhoidnnn Rich. J.
I""';" bot. Soc., 14 : 125-13"
Rau, N. S. (1929)' On the chromosome numbers of lome cultivated plants of
South India. J. Indian bot. Soc., 8 : 126-1!l8.
Thad_ni, K . I. (1940)' AnnulIl Rep. Dep. a,gm. Sind, 1137-,s: ga.

165

_./KODO MILLET.
Paspalum Linn.
P. scrobiculatum Linn. Gramineae.
Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn., known as K'IOdo millet, is a poor
man's food and is grown on poor soil in hilly tracts. Botanically the plant has been described by Ayyangar and Rao (1934).
The plant is, as a rul e, self-fertile. Youngman and Roy
( 192 3) observed five percent. of the flow ers open, the remaining
being c1 cistogamous . A number of strains of this crop has been
established at Nagpur (Youngman, 1924-25; Pan de, 1938).
O ccurrence of albinism in this mill e t has been reported by
Ayyangar ( 1934) : Green and albinos segTegated in 8 : 1
ratio in a family from a variegated plant. In the succeeding
generations the ratios va ri ed from 2'3 : I to 469 : 1. The
authors are inclined to think that complementary facton,
lying o n two or at the m ost three different chromosome pain
and functi oning in the capacity of chemical determinen for
the production of chlorophyll, may be responsible for 'such
segregations.
Interspecific crosses might prove useful in improving this
millet, as wild forms possess more herbage, free earheads, greater
drought resistance, larger number of seeds per head and absence
of sterility. A wild form, P. san'guitlale Lamk., has been reported
from the Vizagapatam District (Ayyangar and Rao, 1934).
False polyembryony has been recorded by Ayyangar and
Rao (1934).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ayyangar, G . N . R. (1934) Recent work on the genetics of milletl in India.
A/adras agric . J. , 1111 : 16-26.
Ayyangar, G . N . R . and Rao, V . P. (t934) . Studies in Paspalum scrohiculatum
L. The kodo millets. Madras agric. J., 1112 : 41 9-425'
Pande, S. S. (1938). Annual Rep. section economie botaniJt (colton). D.p. agm.
Central ProvinCfs and Berar, :a:957-sB,
Youngman, W. (1924-25)' Annual Rep. section lConomie botanist (~Uo,,). D,p.
agric . Central Provinces and BITar, :a:ta4-115
Youngman, W. and Roy. S. C. (1923)' Pollination method. amonpt
the lesser millets. Agnc. J. India, :a:8 : 580-583.

166 )

~DIAN MILLET.

Setaria Beauv.

Setaria italica Beauv. Gramineae.

The plant is locally known as KiTing (Sind) and Kakan
(l1nited Provinces) .
. A botanical desc ription of Setaria glauca and Setaria italira
is given by Gammi<> (19 11 ). The following r<>ferences on the
classification of S. italica arc of int.erest: Church (1886) ,
Gammi e ( 1911), Woodhouse and Ghosh (1911-1 2) .
. Observations on anthesis and pollin ati on in Itali an millet
have been r corded by Ayyangar, Narayan and Sarma (1933) :
10-15 days are generally necessary for comp) te fl owerin g of
an ear-head . The arrangenwnt of the floral parts favours
self-pollination. In an earlier publication (Wood housf' and
Ghosh, 1911-12) some observations on pollination have also
~een recorded.
. Genetics . Pigmentation. The inheritance of pigmenta~:on in Setaria italica was worked out by Ayyangar, Narayan,
R ao and Sarma (1935) : The plants are either pigmented or
non-pigmented. Pigmentation is dominant. They distinguish six
classes of pigmentation, designated as PI ' P 2 ' P~ , p., P 6 & P O'
A factor P is respon!;ible for producing pig'm entation and various
~anifestations and intensities in their pigmentation are determin~d by other factors: factor I determines the intensity with
which pigmentation manifests itself, factor V d termines clear
manifestation in vegetative parts: factor H , clear manifestation
in the ear-head . Thus the interaction of P , I, V and 11 factors
produces different types of classes. The constitutions of the
various six pigmented and non-pigmented classes are shown
below ;PI
.' p.
p3

P,
p&

p.

-PP VV IIH
-PP VV hh
- PP VV HH
- PP VV hh
-PP vv IIH
-PP vv HB

II
II

ii
ii
II
ii or PP vv hh II, or PP vv

hhii

167

N 0- P-non-pigmented varieties.
pp v v hh ii, pp VV hh ii, pp v v HH ii,
pp vv hh II, pp VV HH ii, pp VV hh II,
pp vv HH II or pp VV HH II.
Grain colour. Inheritance of grain colour was investigated
by Ayyangar and Narayan (1931 ) . They distinguished six
difl\,;rent colours, viz., black, sepia, tawny, buff, korra buff, red
and tawny-red and the interaction factors K , I and B control
their production which is illustrated by the following representation:Black
Sepia.
KI
II
II
B
B

Tawny Buff

II

Korra Buff

Red.

II
I

+ Tawny red.

Glume. Woodhouse and Ghosh (1911-12) observed that the

black colour of the inner glume is dominant to yellow or buff
(3 : 1), but when all the three are present the ratio observed is
1 buff: 14 yellow: 32 black.
Bristle. The inheritanc of bristle character was studied by
Ayyangar, Narayan and Rao (1933 a). Th y distinguished
four types of bristles vit:., long, medium , short and dwarf.
Factors E, L l , & La acting on factor X (determining the basic
bnstl conditions "dwarf") are responsible for th four differential lengths of the b ristles. E determines the xpression of
the various bristle types and d p nds for its manifestation on
the factor L 2 X with or without E remains a "dwarf." Ll and La
contribute to the lengthening of the bristle. Ll and L s, acting
indivi d ually on the dwarf Xe, produc a short bristle; together
they produce a 'medium' . Ll with XE gives a 'short', L. with
XE gives a 'medium', and Ll & La togeth l' with XE produce
a 'long'. The factors, governing b ristles and their expression, are'

168 )

independent of those for grain (K , B and I) and anther

colour (Ayyangar , 1934).
In some rae s the bristles bear an extra spikelet at their
tips, this condition being designated as "full" and its all 10morph "nil" spikeletted bristle condition i. e., the normal
condition, spikeletted bristles, behaves as a simple monohybrid
recessive to "nil". Dominance may sometimes be' ineompl te,
(Ayyangar, 1928; Ayyangar, Narayan and Rao, 1933 b;
Ayyangar, 1934'),
Height. Tall plant of Setaria italica, with an average height
of about III ems., was observed to be a simple dominant to
short plant with an average height of 75 ems. Monofactorial
segregation was ohtained (Ayyangar and Harih aran , 1937) .
Ear-head. 'Dense' ear-head (normal economic form) is
found to be dominant to a type of 'la ' ear-head (a primitive
type characterised hy fewer spikes, fewer spikch:ts and chronic
sterility). A factor A controls their inheritance (Ayyangar &
Sarma, 1933).
Albinism. Albinism in llalian millet is reported by Ayyangar
and Narayan (1933). A factor C 1 has been shown to be r sponsibl for green seedlings, its absence resulting in albinism.
Anther. Ayyangar (1934) records that anther colours,
brownish-orange and white, arc controlled by a simple menclelian
pair, the former being dominant.
Cytology. Chromosom numbers in three species of Setaria,
shown below, were worked out br Krishnaswami and Ayyangar
(1935)
1. Setaria italica, n-9.
2. S. verticil/ata, n=9.
3. S. glauca,
n=18.
()ther Observations. Rao and Vijiayaraghavan (1936)
observed the following two false polyembryonic conditIons in
Setaria italica :

(1) Two radicles per seedling with one plumule.

(2) Two mesocoty]s, each with its own radicle, attached

to a lingle plumule.

169
Root studies in Setaria varieties at different stages of growth
in th field have been made at Hagari, Madras Presidency
(A non., 1940).
BmLlOGRAPHY.

Ano'V'mous, (1940). AmlUal Rep. D ep. agric. Madras, 1940.

Ayyangar, G. N. R. (192S). The occurrence and inheritance of spikelet tipped
bristles in Setaria italica. Proc. 15th India" Sci. Congress (agric.) : 45.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. (1934)' Recent work on the genetics of millets in India.
Madras agric. J., 22 : 16-26.
Ayyangar. G. N. R. and Hariharan, P. V. ( 1937). Inheritance of height of
plant.~ in th e Italian millet Setaria italica Beauv. Madras agric. J ., 25:
14 1- 1 43.
AYYdngar, G. N. R. and Narayan, T. R. (1931 ). The inheritance of characters
in Setaria italica Beauv. The Italian millet, Part I. Grain colours.
Indian J. agric. Sci., I : 5S6-60S.
Ayyangar, G. N. R . and Narayan, T . R . ( 1933). The inheritance of characters
in Setaria italica Bcauv. The Italian millet, Part VI Albinism. Indian
J . agric. Sci. , 3 : 559-5 60 .
Ayyangar, G. N. R., Narayan, T. R. and Sarma, P. S. (1933). Studies in
Setalia italica Beauv. The Italian millet, Part 1. Anthesis and Pollination.
Indian J. agric. Sci., 3 : 561-571.
Ayyangar, G. N. R ., Narayan, T. R. and Rao, T . N. (1933 a). The inheritance
of characters in Setaria italua Beauv. The Italian millet, Part III. Bri.~tles
Indian J. agric. Sci., 3 : 207-2 IS .
Ayyangar, G. N. R. , Narayan, T. R. and Rao, T. N. ( 1933 b). The inheritance of characters in Setaria italica Beauv. Th e Italian millet, Part
IV. Spikelet tipped bristles. Indian J. agric. Sci., 3 : 552-5.'16.
Ayynngar, G. N. R., Narayan, T. R ., Rao, T. N. and Sarma, P. S. (1935)'
Inheritance of characters in Setaria italica Beauv. The Italian millet,
Part VII. Plant purple pigmentation. ltldian J . agric. Sci., 5 : 176-194.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Sarma, P. S. (1933) . The inheritance of characters
S~taria italica Beauv. The_Italian millet. Part V. A type of lax car-head.
Indian .]. agric. Sci., 3 : 557-558.
Church, A. H. (1886) . "Food grains of Indin."
Gammie, G . A. (1911). Millets of the genus Setaria in the Bombay Presidency
and Sind. Mem. Dep. Agric. India (Bot Ser.), : 1-8.
Krishnaswami, N. and Ayyangar, G. N. R. (1935)' Chromosome numbers in
some Setaria species. Curro Sci., 3 : 559-560.
Rao, V. P. and Vijiayaraghavan, C. (1936). False polyembryony in Setaria
ital"a. Beauv. Curro Sci., : 820.

170
Woodhouse, E. J . and Ghosh, A. C. (1911-12). The Italian millet (Setaria
ilalica ) in Bengal. Quar. J . Dep. agrir,. Bcnga ,5 : 180-186 .

FINGER MILLET.
Eleusine Gaertn. E. coracana Gaertn. Gramineae.
EleusillC coracana G aertn., the finger millet, is known as Ragi
(Bombay), Mama (Bengal), Mandua (United Provinces) and
M,wdal (Punjab) . It is named after Eleusine, the Greek Goddess
of cereals.
Self-p ollination is very common in this crop. Occasionally,
however, cross-pollination is also observed (Ayyangar and
Wariar, 1934). Improved strains, being cultivated in Madras
and Mysor , have been recorded below:
Improved Strainll of Ragi.
Madra .
E. C. 593. It is a rain fed and irrigated crop, maturing in 120 days.
E. C. 3517. It is an irrigated crop, maturing in 110 days.
E. C. 3735. It is also an irrigated crop, maturing in 110 days.
R. 42. Ii is a ~train of irrigated ragi, evolved in 1938 al the Agricultural
Research Stalion, II agari, in the Bellary District of the Madras Presidency.
It has a duration of 120-130 days. It tillers well and haslarg incurved
panicles. The absence of any anthocyanic pigment on any part of the
plant f'nablcs the seed to be kept pure from mixtures, as any crossillg
with pigmented p lant.. can be detected early and rogued out. The yields
vary from 1l,!)OO to 3,500 Ibs. of grain and 4,000 to 5,000 Ibs. ofstraw per
acr which represent about 10 % increase over those of the cultivator5'
seed .
(Anakapalle) .
A. 525 ' It is useful for Punasa or early seaSOll. Grain is bold and tasteful,
maturing in 95 days and yielding 2,500 Ibs. per acre.
B. B . L. 5. It is also useful for Punasa or early season. Grain is bold and
tasteful. Panicle in incurved and is fairly heavy, yielding 2,200 lbs.
of seeds per acre.
V.8 . I t is useful for Pyru (Jan'u ary to March) season.
Panicle is incurved
and of medium size, yielding, [,800 Ibs. of seeds p er acre.
V. 33. It is also useful for Pyru (January to March) season. Panicle is incurved and is of medium size, yielding 2,000 lbs. of grains per acre.
My.ore.
1. It is an early maturing strain which grows well both under irrigatiol1
and dry conditions. It yields [ , 000-',200 Ibs. of grains per acre.

Ie

( 171 )
E. S. 4. It yields 1,200-1,400 Ibs. per acre.
E. S. 11. It grows well both in irrigated and dry conditions, yielding 1,2001,400 Ibs. per acre .
E. S. 13. It gl'OWS well in both irrigated and dry conditions, yielding 1,4001,500 Ibs. pcr acre.
H.2. It thrives well in dry conditions and irlds 1,000- 1,200 lbs. per acre.
H. 22. It thrives w,,!l in dry conditions alld yields Roo-I ,Ooo ibs. per acre.
H. 32. It thrives well in dry conditions and yields 1,000-1,200 ibs. prr acre.
H. 58. It thrives well in dry conditions and yie lds 1,000-1,200 ills. per aCle.
Co.rcomb. It grows well undel' I)()th irrigation and dry conditions and yidds
1,200- 1,400Ibs. per acre.
Madar. It grows well unuer both irrigation and dry conditions, yidding 1,2001,400 lin. per aCre

KOllankombu.

It grows well under both irrigation and dry conditions, yielding

1,00D-I,200

lbs. per acre.

Dharani local.

It grows well under both irrigation and dry conditions, yield.

ing 1,200-1,400 Ibs. pe acre.

A method has been discovered by Badami by which emas

culation in Elellsine coracana has been made an easy technique.
According to this author ragi flowers usually open with the
anthers opening 'imultaneously and jf wide test tubes or small
flasks lined w ith moist filter paper are inverted over the flower
and plugged with absorbent cotton, the pollen saes come out
intact. Emasculation can then be carried out easily. Some
general information on flowering and crossing has also b en
given by Ayyangar (1932 a, b and c).
The inheritance of purple pigmented and non-purple pigmented characters in ragi was worked out by Ayyangar and Rao
(1927,1931 a). Among the pigmented plants three groups were
distinguished, viz., purple, dilute purple and localised purpl .
The genetic relationships of these pigmented and non-pigment.
ed or green-throughout types, established by breeding tests, are
shown below:- It shows that the " green throughouts" can be
classified into various kinds of purple pigment-producing
potentia~s.

172 )
Genetic constitution of ragi varieties.

Pigmented types.

Localised purple.
Dilute purple.
Purpl e .

Corresponding non-pigmented or
"green-throughout" types (Genetic
recessive analogu s).

pp iIi} i,i 2.
pp i I i 1 1,1 2,
PP 1111 I!I,I
PP 1111 1~IJ'

pp 1111 1'212'
pp 1111 i~i:l'

pp

il i l

1211,

pp i l i 1 i 2i 2

Ayyangar and Wariar (1936 c) have shown that a dominant

gene Vt, found in African varieties, colours the ordinary purple
and makes it appear violet purpl . The recessive vt is present
in all local Indian varieties of T'agi. Vt could be detected in all
grades of purple, excepting localised purple on which its effect
is feeble. I t could be present in a green (non-purple pigmented),
lacking the factor P. The factor Vt is not condu ive to economic growth und 'r Indian conditions.
Grain colour in ragi is det rmined by two factors, Bl and B 2
which eith r singly or together producc the brown pigment,
their absence producing white type (Ayyangar, Rao and Wariar,
1931 ; Ayyangar and Wariar, 1931). The relation of th se
factors to purple pigm ntation was also shown by these authors
to depend on a supplementary factor S which, in as ociation with
eithcr or both ofB1 and B z factors, produces purple pigmentation.
Inheritance of dark brown and brown ragi colour was shown to
depend on a factor D which behaves as a simpl dominant,
turning ragi brown colour into dark brown.
Inheritanc of sterility was analysed by Ayyangar and
Krishnaswamy (1931) which was found to be either due to
non-dehisc nee of anthers or to agglutination of poll n.
The presence of factor" detennines normal dehiscence and
factor Y free pollen, their absence resulting in sterility. Of
them both behave as simple dominants to their absence. These

( 173 )
factors are independent of the factors, responsible for plant
purple pigmentation (Ayyangar, 1932 b).
D epth of green in the pericarp is d termined by a single
factor Cx and its absence produces light green. It is independent of factors P , I and D, (Ayyangar, Rao and Krishnaswamy,
1931) .
The appearance of chlorophyll is controlled oy factors C 1
and C 2 either one or both. The absence of bot.h produces
a lbino seedling which ultimately dies. C x has no influ nce on
C l or C z (Ayyangar and Rao, 1931 b) . This was further confirmed by Ayyangar and Wariar (1936 a) who also d emonstrated
that tht' pericarp character C~ has no influence on C 1 or C t.
A factor Q is responsible for a close packing of spi kelets on
the rachis and a second factor E determines the elongation of
the rachis, (Ayyangar, Rao and 'Wariar, 1932).
Factor. El and E2 determine the elongation of th' ear-h ad,
giving- long length. Their absence produces a "very short"
length and the presece of either of them gives a "short" length.
A factor Q determines the density of disposition of spikelet per
centimeter, its absen e resulting in the open ondition (Ayyangar,
Rao and Wariar, 1933). The authors also showed that factors
Q, El and E. are independ nt of P , II, I" Bb B 2, S and C~.
Two factors H I and H I determin depth of the purple pigmentation in the glumes. These factors act only in the presence of
P , 11 & l a, turning th medium purple into purple (Ayyangar,
1934).
Ayyangar and Wariar (1936 b) record that the short length
of the glume in a normal cultivated ragi is due to the presence
of three dominant factors, GIJ , GI. and GIs, which act as inhibitors of the length. Any two of the factors give am dium length.
Each one of them singly, or none gives a long glume. The
segregation occurs in 27 short : 27 m di urn : 10 long glumes.
The inheritance of earhead shapes has been worked out by
Ayyangar and R ao (1929) and that of earheadcolour by Ayyangar, W arjar and R amabhoosh am (1933).

174 )

Ch romosome number in E. coracarza has becndetermined to

be 2n=36 (R au, 1929) and n= 18 (SubbaRao, c.!. Ayyangar,
1932a; Ayyangar and Krishnaswamy, 1936). Ayyangar (1'932 a)
remarks th at according to Subba Rao thirteen in depend nt
factors, vi,;:;., B" B~u C 1 , C a, C .. D, E, 11 , 12 , Q., S, X and Y,
hay so far been accounted for. The rest have to be worked
out and located. It is remarkable that so far no link ages have
bcen met with. The chromosome numbers in other sp ecies
were determined by Kr.ishnaswamy and Ayyangar (1935), as
record ed below :n.
Eleusine i11dica
9.
Eleusine brevifolia
18 .
Eleusine aeg)lptiaca
17.
Eleusine indica is considered a diploid, Eleusine coracana and
Eleusine brevifolia t traploids, and Elew inc aegyptiaca a tetraploid
minus one pair (4X- 2).
Vijiayaraghavan and Sarma (1938) record a mutant with
"In-curved" ears from a ragi strain E. C. 593 with "Top-curved"ears.
Polyembryony in Eleusine coracana has been recorded by
Ayyangar & Krishnaswamy (1930)'. *
BmUOGRAPHY A.
Ayyangar. G. N. R. (1932 a) . The inheritance of charactcrs in ragi, Eleusine
coracana Gaertn. Agric Livt-Slk. ltldia, II : 369-379.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. (1932 b). The inheritance of charactcrs in ragi, Eleusillt
coracana Gaertn. Madras agrie. J., IlO : 1-9
A yyangar, G. N. R. (19311 c). The inheritance of characters in ragi, Eltusine
COTfrcana Gaertn. Proc. :19th. Indian Sci. Congrm (agric.), 55-65'
Ayyangar, G. N. R. (1934)' Madras agri.c. J., 22 : 16--116.
Ayyangar, G. N. R . and Krishnaswamy, N. (1930). Polyem bryony in ragi,
Elcusine coracann Gaertn. Proc. Ass. lcon. Bioi. Coimbatore, I : 8.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Krishnaswamy, N. (1931). The inheritance of characters in ragi, El!urillc corac!Jllo Gaertn., Par t III, Sterility. Indian J. agric.
Sci., I : 554-5611.
*(The same paper was also published in the Madras
593-595)'

agrit;. J., 18,

175 )'

Ayyangar, G. N. R . and Rao, P. K . ( [927 ), The inheritance of purple pigmentation in Eltusine coracona. Prot. 14th Indian Sci. Congress (bol.),
224
Ayyangar, G . N. R . and Rao, P. K. ([9[9)' Earhearl shapes and their inheritance in Eleusille coraCalla Gaertn. Proc. 16th Indi an Sci. COII~r!ss (a~ric.), 37.
Ay yangar, G. N. R. and Rao , P. K. (1931 a). Thp. inheritance ofcharact .. rs
in ragi, Eleu.firu: coro1cana Gaertn., Parl 1. PUIJlle pigmentation. Illdian
]. agric. Sci., I : 434-444.

b.

Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Rao, P. K. (1931

The inher;tanrc ofchararters
in ragi, Eleusine coraealla Gaerln., Part. V. Albinism. Indiall J. agrie.
Sci., I : 569-576.
Ayyall~ ar,

G . N. R ., Ran, P. K. and Kri ~h naswamy, N. ( 1931 ). 1'h(' inheritance of characters in ragi, Eleusill~ coracalla Gaertn., Parl IV. Depth of
green ill the p ~ ricarp. Indiarl J. agric. Sci., I: .563-568.

Ayyansar, G. N. R. , Rao, P. K. and Wariar, U. A. (1931). Thi' inheritance of

characters in ragi, Eleusille COl/leana Gaerts., Part II . Grain colour factors
and their relation to plant purple pigmentation. Indian J. (I(~ric. Sci., I:
53 8-553.
Ayyangar, G. N . R., Rao. P. K. and Wariar, U. A. (1932). The inheritance
of characte rs in ragi, EleUJiner."racana Gaertn. Part VI. Ear h ead shapes.
Indiall J. agrie. Sci., :II : 254-265.
Ayyangar, G. N. R., R ao, P. K. and Wariar, U.A. ( 1933). The inheritance
of chll racters in r ag i, Eteusine coracana Gaertn. The finger millet, Part
VIT. Fist-like ear beads. irIdian J. agrie. Sci., 3 : 1072- 1079
Ayyan~ar , G . N. R . and Wal'iar, U. A. (1931). In.hcritancc ofg-rain culour
in ra~j, Elr.usine coracana Gaertn. and the relation of grain colour factors
to plant purple pigmenta~ion. Proc. 18t h Iridian .5'.;i. C81lgress (agric .), 43
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Wariar, U. A. (1934). Anthesis and pollination in
ragi, Ettusine coracana Gacnn. The finger millet. Indian J. agric. Sci. ,
4 : 38 6-393.
Ayyangal', G. N. R . and Wariar, U. A. ( r936 a). AlbiuL'ID'l;n Eleusi,re
indica Gaertn. Curro Sci., 5 : gOI.
Ayyangar, G . N. R . and Warillr, U. A. ([936 b). Inberitanceof glume length
in ragi, Eleusine coracana, Gaertn. Tbe finger millet. .Nfadras agnc. J.,
:114 : 13 2 - 134.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Wariar, U. A. (1936 c). An African ragi, Eieusine
coraCQlla Gaertn.-The finger millet-with a violetpurplc colour. }dadraJ
agrie. J.,
363-365.
Ayyangar. G. N. R, Wariar, U. A. and Ramabhoosham, G. ( 1933)' Inheritance
of characters in ragi, Eleusine coracana Gaertn . The finger millet-Part
VIU. Ear-head colour factors. Indian J . agric. Sci., 3 : 1080- 1084.

Il. :

176 )

Krishnaswami, N. and Ayyangar, G."N. R. (1935) . A note on thechrom08ome

numbers of some Eleu.iru species. Curro Sci., " : 106.
Rau, N. s. (1929). On the chromosome numbers of some cultivated plants 0
South India. ]. J,idian bot. Soc., 8 ; 126- 1118.
Vijiayaraghavan C. and Sarma. P. S. (1938). R. 42-An economic recessive
mutant from E . C. 593 ragi Eleusine coracana Gaertn. Curro Sci. , 6 ; 6111)12.

BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
Madras. (193'-32). Notes on ragi Silage in Coimbatorr district.
Mysore. The cultivation of ragi in M ysore.

OTHER MILLETS (PANICUM SPECmS).

There are three species of the genus Panicum Viz ., P. miliaceum, P. miliare and P. Crusgalli, which are grown in different parts
of India to form three imp::'> rtant lesser mill t crops.
P. miliaceum Linn. It . is the "common millet" known as
China (Assam and Bengal) and Vara (Bombay). The botanical
name is derived from the latin word Milium, m aning millet
(Blatter and McCann, 1935). The grains of the millet are used
as a human food. It is, as a rule, s If-, rtilized (Ayyangar and
Ponnaiya, 1938), though a very sman amount of natural crossing does occur.
Ayyangar (1934) records that the characters, anthocyanin
pigment in part and gr en throughout, are controll d by a single
pair of factors, the former being dominant. Similarly in a cross,
involving dark olive grey and buff yellow, the former behaves a
simple dominant. Hairiness is dominant to the recessive
glabrous forms and both 3 : 1 and 15 : 1 ratios are observed.
Findings of Ayyangar et al (1938) have been summarised below:
There are two types of purple pigmentation in the plant,
the purple and the light purple. In the absence of the factor P
for purple pigmentation, the plants are green throughout, P
heing a simple dominant to p . An intensification factor I makes
the difference between the purple and light purple types. Purple
PP II is a simple dominant to light purple PP ii. A ratio 9 :
3 : 4 is obtained between purple, light purple and reen throu-

177

ghout. The characteristic hairiness in the common val'ieties

of this millet is governed by the operation of at least three inde~
pendent factors, anyone of which produces hairin>!ss. The hairless
type is the result of the absence of all the three factors for hairiness,
viz., H I> H2 and H s These factors are cumulative in their
effect, the intensity of the hairiness increasing with the addition
of each H factor. The densely hairy type is HI' HI and Ha. The
common grain colours in the Madras varieties are dark olive
grey and buff yellow. A simple dominant factor 0 makes
buff yellow into dark olive grey. A second factor L lightens
these two grain colours and produces th colours, light olive
grey and light buff yellow. Factor L which lightens the colour
on the glume is a simple dominant to its absence. A third
factor I inhibits the expression of colour on the glume making
it ivory in colour. It affects the palea also and restricts the colour
to its base. Factor I is a simple dominant to Its absence. The
two grain colours, ivory grey and ivory yellow, are the result
of the operation of this I factor. Reddish orange, a third whole
colour, is a simple recessivl; to buff yellow. A simple dominant
factor Br suppresses the red in the reddish orange, producing the
buff yellow.
Chromosome number of this species has been reported to be
2n=42 by Rau (1929) which are small in size.

P. rniliare Lam. It is locally known as Kutki. A number of

strains of the millet has b cn established at N agpur (Y o\:ngman,
1924-25; Mahta, 1931; Pande, 1938). Ym.:ngman and Roy,
(1923) studied the pollination methods and according to them
the millet is mostly self-pollinated.
Chromosome number in this species has been observed to be
2n=36, (Rau, 1929).
P. crus-galli var. frumentaCtum. It is locally known as
Sarna. Youngman and Roy (1923) regard this crop to be mostly
self-pollinated.
Ayyangar (1934) observed both 3 : 1 and 15 : 1 ratios for

178

purple:: and green plants. A single factor pair controls the open
and closed panicle shapes.
.
Chromosome number in this species has been reported to be
nearly 2n=48 (Rau, 1929).
BIBLIOGRAPHY .
(1940) . Annual Rep. Dfp. agric. :Madras Provinu, 194;0.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. ( 1934)' Recent work on the genetics of millets in India.
Madras, agric. J., 22 : 16-26.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Ponnaiya, B. W. (1938). Studies in the Millet,
Pallicum miliaceum Linn. Madras agric. J., 26 : 195-206.
Blatter, E. and McCann, C. (1935)' Bombay grasses. Imperial Council of
Agrie. Res. Monograph No ..~, 324.
Mahta, D. N. (1931). Anfluill Rep. economic bolall~( 1 (cotton ), Dep. agric. Central
Provinces and Berar, 193-31.
P.ande, S. S. (1938). Annual Rep. economic botanist (cotton), Dep. agric. Central
Provinces and Berar, 1937-38.
Rau, N. S. (1929). On the chromosome numbers of some cultivated plants
of South India. J. Indian bot. Soc., 8 : 126- 128.
Youngman, W . (1924-25)' Annual Rep. economic botanist, Dep. agrie. Central
Provinces and Berar, 1924-25.
Youngman, W . (1926-27). Amlual Rep. economic botanist, Dep. agric. Central
Provinces and Berar, 1926-27.
Youngman, W. and Roy, S. C . (1923). Pollination methods amongst the
lesser millets. Agrie. J. Irldia, 18 : 580-583.

Anonymous.

CHAPTER IV

BEANS AND PULSES.

"India is so vast and her agriculture so varied that it is har_d;
to think of a single characteristic feature unless it be pulses. A~
any rate, legumes and pulses are so closely interwoven with the
agriculture of India that they deserve more attention than they
have received in the past. Many of us have been puzzled ~
to how J ndian soils maintain their fertility. Many agricultural
chemists have wondered how it has been possible with th~ small
amount of nitrogen app1 ied as a manure, for even present moderate yields to be maintained. The explanation undo~btedly
is the common presence of legumes in rotations throughout th.e
country- and of cours nitrogen fixation."

PIGEON PEA.
Cajanus DC. C. cajaN. Linn. (C. indicus Spx:eng).
Leguminosae.
The pigeon pea is an important Indian pulse, known Qr
various names such as, Arhar, RahaT and Tuar.
:.:
Botanically the species has been described by Chahdraspkharan and Ramakrishnan, (1928). Shaw, Khan and Singli
(1933) classified this species into 86 types, the material, mat)l:e
use of, being obtained from a number of provinces, wher~as
Mahta and Dave (1931) classified the material of the Centr,a l
Provinces and Berar into 36 principal botanical units.
Flo:t~
cher (1906-7) records a varieg~ted Bangalorc tur which w~
tried at Poona. Other references on the improvement. of 'lQ1's
crop are, Sil (1914), Singh (1935) and Sabnis (?)**. In th' oe~t!
ral Provinces a whit -seeded early maturing strain .E.~. 3:'~~s
been recommended. In United Provinces three strains ~v:e
been evolved, vi;:., No. 132 (brownish red, early')" .No. 2S
(black, late) and No. 66 (light brown, lat ). In 'Bihar 2E , (ereqt!
and 7S (spreading) proved promising and' a I number of ~ew
strains have also been recently evolved (RichlJ,aria, 1955) . : . :.,
-------------------------------------------------;-' ~
.Burt B. C. (1933~. "The po!ition j ofpubc.'J in Indian Agri~uJt~~e~
Proc. Ass. "on. Biol., C01mbatore, I : 83.- 85'
1'1
I .. '.
"Sabni&, T. S. ( ?) Notes on . agricultural qrop'-Arha~ lctVanlu ~f"!
Sprcng.)-uaf-lll, D~pt. a:ri&., UQited Pro('ill(;lS,

180 )
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183 )

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184 )

The inheritance of wilt resistance caused by Fusarium vasinf4ftum was also studied by the same author (Shaw, 1936 b),
r.~sistance being dominant (T. 80, resistant and T. 5, suscept'ble) . The segregation was found to be in 9 : 7 or 27 : 37 ratio.
I~ was not observed to be linked with any of the morphological
c~aracters, investigated here. It has also been concluded that
the factors for disease resistance are not linked with those for the
morphological characters of flower, inflorescence, habit, stature
apd seed and that th inheritance of resistance depends upon
lIlultiple factors (cf Pal, 1934). Completely immune truebreeding hybrids with morphological char a ters of the susceptible parent have been produced (c]. Pal, 1934).
Further genetical analysis of colour in leaf-vein, flower and
s~ed colour, has been carri d out at New Delhi, monogenic
ratio ,b eing observed for the first three, whereas inheritance for
seed-colour depends on the interaction of three factors. Com.plete
linkage was observed between colour of leaf-vein, flower and pod
(Anon., 1936).

A case of somatic segregation in pigeon-pea was noticed at

New Delhi (Anon., 1936).
In 1934-35 a pigeon-pea plant with
streaked pods was found in a segregating family of T. 66 X T. 5,
possessing two small branches in which the pods werc nonstreaked and green, like those in the recessive parent. Plants
raised from seed of these two branches bore green coloured
pods, whereas m.ost of the plants raised from the seed of branches
with the normal streaked pods showed streaked condition of
the pods, while a very few plants from this series again showed
most branches with streaked and some branches with non. treaked green pods.
Bhatia (1939) records a cross between a wild perennial
variety of tur and local varieties E. B. 3 and E. B. 38. He also
records a sterile mutant with simple leaves (cj. Shrivastava,
1938). Crosses made between this mutant and the normal
showed trifoliate character to be dominant (Bhatia, 1939).
A reference to sterility in this crop has been made by Alam
(1933).

185 )

Ayyangar and Krishnaswamy (1935) studied meiosis in this

species and observed eleven bivalents at diakinesis and I metaphase. Secondary associations in groups of 2, 3, 4 and 5 were
quite commonly formed.
Roy (1933) also records eleven
haploid chromosome number.
Howard, H oward and Khan (1918) made observations on
pollination. They record that natural crossing is common to the
extent of 65%. It was also confirmed by Mahta and Dave
(1931). During 1926-27 at Pusa, out of 265 different cultures
raised from thc sclfed seeds, only 76 bred true (Anon., 1926-27).
BIBLIOGRAPHY .
Aiam, M. (1933) . Rahat sterility. Prot.2oth Indian Sci. Congress (agric.), 59.
AltOnymous. (1926-27). Sci. Rep. agric. Res. Inst. Pusa, 1926-21 : 19.
AItO'!YmDus (1936). Sci. Rep. Imperial agric. Res. Inst. New Delhi,1936 : 55.
Ayyangar, G. N. R . and Krishnaswamy, N. (1935)' Chromosome number.
in Cajanus indicuJ Spreng. Curro Sei., 3 : 614-6IS'
Bhatia, G. S. (1939). Armual Rep. Second Economic Botanist, Dep. agrie. C".tral
Provinces and BeTaT, 1938-39'
Bose, R. D. Ganguli, P . M. and Umar, S. M . (1938). Cooking tests with
Pusa types of pigeon-peas (Cajanus cajan). Proc. 25th Indian Sci., Congress
(agric.) , 214.
Chandrasekharan, S. N . and Ramkrishnan, T . S. (1928). Madras agric. J.,
16; 5-11.
Dastur, J. F. (1924-25). Annual Rep. Second Economic Botanist, Dep. agric. Central
Provinces and Berar, 1924-25'
Dave, B. B. (1934). Inheritance of characters in Cajanus indicus.IndianJ. agrie.
Sci., 4 : 674-69 1
Fletcher, F. (1906-7). Annual Rep. Poona agrie. station, Dep. tJgric., Bombqy,
1906-7 : 17
Howard, A. Howard, G . L. C. and Khan, A. R. (1918). Studies ill the pollination of Indian crops, I. Mem. D~p. aerie. India (Bot. Str.), 10 : lIOI.
Mabta, D. N. (1926-27). Annual Rep. Second Economic Botanist, Dep. (Jgric.
Centl.1l Provinces and Berar, 19116-117.
Mahta, D. N. and Dave, B. B. (1931). Studies in Cajanus indicus. Mem. Dep.
agrie. India (Bot. Ser.), 19 : 1-2S
Pal, B. P. (1934)' Recent progress in plant-breeding in Pwa. Agrie. Lw,-S~.
India, " : SOS-515'
Pal, B. P. (1939)' Rep. Imperiallconomic botanist, New Delhi, 1938-59.

186 )
Richharia. R. H. (1953). Improved varieties of crop plants of Bihar.
Bihar Acad. Agrie. Sci. Bull. No. 2 (1953).
R oy, B. (1933). Studies in the development of the female gametophyte in
some leguminous crop plant> in India. Indian J . agric. Sci.,3 : 1098-1107.
Shaw, F. j . F. (1936 a). Studies in Indian pulses. The inheritance of
morphological characters and of wilt resistance in Rahar. (Cajanus indieUJ
Spreng). Indian J. agrie. Sci., 6 : 139-187.
Shaw, F.J. F. (1936 b). The inheritance of morphological characters and of
wilt resistance in Rahar (Cajanus indicus Spreng.). Prot. indian A cad.
Sci., 3-B : 491-492.
Shaw, F. J. F., Khan, A. R. and Singh, H. ( 1933). Studies in Indian pulses.
The types of Cajanu; indicus Spreng. Indiafl J . agric. Sci. 3 : 1-36.
Sil, S. N. (1914). Improvement of rahar by selection. Agric. J. Bihar and
Orissa, I : 25-29.
Singh, T. C. N. (1935) ' Studies LO the pulses of Bihar and Orissa-I. (Ralw ).
Proc. 22Dd Indian Sd. Congress (agric.). 370.
Shrivastava, K. P. (1938) . Annu~l Rep. Second Economic Botanist, Dep. agrie.
Celltral Provillces and Berar, 1937-38.

GRAM

Cicer Linn.
C. arietinum Linn. Leguminosae.
Gram, Cicer arietinum Linn. is one of the most important
pulses cultivated in India. L ocally it is known as Chana
(Bombay, Central Provinces and United Provinces), Chola
(Bengal) and Boot (Bihar).
.
Classification. Howard, Howard and Khan (1915)
isolated 25 types at Pusa, basing the classification on the habit,
leaves, flowers and seed characters. They also record that selfpollination is the rule in this crop, although very rarely crossin~
may also be observed. Shaw and Khan (1931) added another
59 types to the list, bringing the number to 84. In the Central
Provinces, 50 types have been isolated (Shrivastava, 1936).
A new type of gram, exhibiting more or less green seed-coat
on maturity, has been recorded by Richharia and Kalarnkar
(~938) . Botanically the species has been described by Chandrasekharan and Rarnakrishnan (1928).
Improved strains of gram being, grown in the Central Provinces, Punjab and Bihar (Richharia, 1953) are shown below :

187

CENTRAL PROVINCES AND BERAR.

No. t. E. B. 62 and E. B. 28. They are high yielding varieties.

A. D. 6. It is a yellowish coloured grain; yielding higber than the local seed.
Adhartal type 5. It is a good-quality ordinary type of gram, yielding heavier
than ordinary Deshi grillll, suitable for all conditions where Deshi gram
is cultivated.
D. B.' (Gulabi). It is a white flowered, fine-quality gram of rose colour, soft
and suited to Haveli lands. It responds well to irrigation, but it is very
susceptible to weevils and, therefore, neetls very carefu' storing. Maturity
is late.

Grem seeded gram. It is a white flowered, and green coloured gram, besl
sui led (0 haveli Jands, and it responds well 10 irrigation. Lack of proper
moisture in the snil gives whitish spots to the seed. It is soft and very
tasteful. It I'l'quir("s careful storing. Maturiry is late.
Kabuli. It is mainly grown as a garden crop and is popular for eating green.
Plants grow tall and Ibear big pods.

PUNJAB.
NO.7. This type possesses attrac tive yellowish brown grain~ and has a vigorous
habit of growth. It has clone well all over (he province and it yields
about 18-20 maunds per acre.
F. 8. This is a newly evolved type which has been found to be resistant to
gram blight fungus. It is somcwhallale in ripening and is a fair yielder.
It has fairly bold, yellowish brown grains and consequently 24 seers seed
rate per acre is recommended.

BIHAR
Varieties of gram for general cultitation.
B. R . 17. Flowtr colour, pink, Seed ,olou(, brown; Maturity, early (Number
of days between sowil1g and first flowering, 48); Dal percentage, 72'86;
Gmeraly{eld per am, 114.30 Ib~. (or 13'47 mds.); suited to South Bihar
tracts.
B. R. 65. Flower colour, pink; Seed colour, brown; Maturity, late (Number of
days between sowing and first flowering, 65); Dal pemntage, 76.01 ;
General yield per acre, 1093.05 Ibs. (or 13.33 mds.); suited to South
Bihar tracts.
B. R. 77. Flower colour, pink; Sedd colour, light brown; Maturity, medium
(Number of days between sowing and first flowering, 55); Dal percentage,
76.53; Gcntralyieldper acre: North Bihar, 934.34 Ibs. (or 1I .39 mds.);
South Bihar, 1115.68lbs. (or 13.6 mds.); suited to major parts of both
North and South Bihar.
S. T. 4 has undergone considerable deterioration and now stands rejected.
N. P. 58 has prpved to be still inferior to S. T. 4).

188 }

Varieties qf quali!1-grams.
B. R. 19B (D 8.). Flower colour, white; seed COIOUT, light orange; Seed site, medium; Maturi{y, medium. It is a selection from the bulk material of a
gram variety, known as D 8 of Madhya Pradesh, originally brought by
the author in 19411 from that state.
B. R. 192. (Green seeded gram). Flower colour, white; Sud colour, pale veronese
green; Seed site, medium; Maturi{y, medium. The bulk material of
green seeded gram was obtained by the author from KareH (M. P.) in
1943 where it first originated. Since then it has been spreading gradually
in Bihar.
In the A10kamah tal it has become very popular with the
growers and the surrounding area. B. R . :19:1: is a selection from this
material, of better yielding capacity.
Other kinds of quality-grams
such as small-white, bold-white (Kabllli-type) have also been evolved
and maintained. Among them the following strains are comparatively
good yielders:-

KabJli-types
Kabuli type B. R. 31 : Creamy-yellow, small.
"
" B. R. 3:1: : Flesh, medium.
"B. R.!lI9 : Flesh, medium.
"
" B. R . 33 : Flesh, medium.
Varieties recommended for general cultivation, on the average, are better
yielders than the varieties of quality-grams. Hybridization programme has
therefore been in progress to improve tb.e yields, particularly ofB. R. 19!11 and
B. R. 19B which are in good demand in the market at higher rates, because of
their attractive colours.

Cytology. Dixit (1932 a) observed the chromosome

number in some Indian gram types to be 2n= 14, and that in
the Kabuli gram 2n= 16. He suggests that the Kabuli gram
should 'be treated as a separate species Cicer Kabulium from
Cicer arietinum Linn., since the former shows several characters
quite different from the latter, such as the remarkably big size
of the plant, leaves, leaf-lets, flowers, pods and seeds and the
constant whi.tish colour of flowers and se ds, the different chromosome number and the difficulty with which the two can be
crossed. Richharia and Kalamkar (1938) observed 2n=16
in a green-seeded gram type.

Genetics. Technique of artificial cross-pollination in gram

has been described by Venkataraman (1925). Brief references

189

to this technique have also been made by others, referred to

below, who worked on the genetics of this species.
Shrivastava (1938) records preliminary observations on
intervarietal crosses made at Nagpur.
Khan and Akhtar (1934) observed the flower colour in gram
to be dependent on the inter-action of several factors: blue
colour is controlled by a single factor B, while pink is produced
by P in the presence of B. The white colour is obtained in the
absencc of B whether P is present or absent. In the absence of
a factor W greenness is produced in the standard. The tendency
of bearing two flowers on a peduncle is developed in the absence
of S, its presence producing singleness.
Alam (1935) stated that seed colour is based on the presence or absence of, at least, four different factors, some
of which are linked with factors determining seed-shape
and surface. There is a strong co-relation betw en flower
colour and seed-colour. Singh and Ekbote (I 936) observed
the inheritance of seed-colours as follows: bluish brown seedcolour is controlled by a single factor A or B . The interaction of factors A and R produces the reddish brown colour.
The action of factor A or B is modified by the factor P , producing yellowish brown. The interaction of A, P and D or B, P
and D produces the dark reddish brown colour, the bluish
brown red colour, behaving as a recessive throughout. The
colour, shape and surface of seed are all associated. Linkage
was observed in the yellowish brown and dark reddish brown
with irregular shape and slightly granulated surface. The bluish
brown colour shows linkage with round shape and smooth
surface. Linkage was also noticed between the seed characters
and flower colours.
Ayyar (1937) studied the inheritance of the foliage colour
and seed coat colour. Green and pale yellowish green colour
of the leaves are controlled by a single factor pair Lg 19 which
is independ.ent of factor T l, R oughness and smoothness of
seed coat are also governed by a single pair, designated as Rr,
which are ihdependent df factors 'l" and P.

190

Ayyar and I yer (1936) found that presumably one pair of

factors controls the inheritance of reacti~n to wilt jn gra~.
The resi tant plants show d a thick layer of suberin in the
periphery of root cortex which was not marked in the susceptible
types. In the resistant variety the d evelopment of the fungus
was very much slower and only a few vessels were attacked by
the fungus . M cK ewal (1924) records a black-s cded variety
which appeared resistant to wilt. A few years later, however,
it was found to b e hig hly susceptible.
Ayyar and Balasubramaniam (1937) studied the inh ritance of brallching habit.
Two types of hranching were distinguished: (a) n o auxiliary branches till about the ninth node,
but had h ig her up strong laterals, assuming the form of an open
umbrella, (b) secondary branches ~rose from the ground level.
In Fl the (b) type was dominant. The Fa segregatrd in a monohybrid ratio, the factor pair being designated as Br hr.
Alam ( 1935) studied the modes of inh ritanc' of seed-coat
colour in crosses made betwe n K abuli and J ndian typ s, isolated
at Pusa. In a cross, involving T. 2 X T. 18, the differences in
~he eeed-coat colour were cOIUroll d by the interaction of four
p2 irs of factors, whereas in the other cross T. I X T. 25 they were
brought about by three pairs of factors. They also onc1uded
that (1) the orange is the basic colour of seeds, (2) t.here exists
linkage between the colour and shape faclors of seeds and (3)
brown and red seeds are obtained from plants with pink petals,
and white, fawn and orange seeds from white-flower d types.
References to hybridization between Kabuli and Indian grams
have also b en made by Pal (1934) and hrivastava (1938) .
The latter observed the pink colour of flower, Ilpreading , habit
and brown colour of seed to b e dominant over the white flower,
semi-trailing habit and white colour of the seed respectively.
Ayyar and Balasubramaniam (1936) r cord the following
observations: The production of pink, blue and white p tals
~s controlled by thre factors C , B and P , of which C and B are
complementary and P is supplementary to B. When all the
three factors are in .c0II?-bina.tion~ th~ ~o~e~s. '~re: pink', , ~~ ~

191

and C alone are present, blu flowers are produced. In all

other combinations the petals are whit. In the case of seed
colours it has been found that factors Bb, Pp, T 1t1, T 2t B
and F r { r alone account for the existrnce of various shades
among the thirte n grades observed. None of them was found
to be linked and of them all showed dominance. Factors P and
Tl showrd supplementary type of interaction in development,
whi le factor F' was hypostatic to B. Factors B and Fr 'xh ibited
pleiotropic effects on plant characters . Factor B imparts, by
itself, dark olive buff colour to the seed-coat. Factor P is
inactive by it~clf but causes considerable changes in the phenQtypes in the presence of B. Genes Tl and T 2 affect only lhe seedcoat colours. Tl is inoperative unless it is in association with
P . It then darkens the colour pattern. T 2 also has the same
reaction but its expression is influ need by the nature of the
genic background. Factor Fr has no chromatic effect in the
presence of B, but it dilutes the pigmentation when it is not in
company with B . It make's the seed- oat darkcr if B and P
are conjointly present. The shapc of thc seeds is also affected
by some of these factors. Fr converts irregularly shaped seed
into round. This property is, how vcr, masked by B when in
association with the recessive g ne p . Factor B also produces
round seeds but it loses this quality in the BP condition. B fac. tor, in addition, influences the size of se ds. When it occurs
alone without P , the seeds are reduced in size considerably,
but th yare restored to normal weight, when P is added to B.
The surface of the seeds gets puckered by the action of F .
But this effect is very much reduced when it is in association
with B and P , or 8 and T 1. It is known that tll(. genic constitution of T. 13 for flower colour is CBp . Since the cross betwe n T. ' 3 and T. 11 gavt' oniy a blue Fl and s gregated in
1'1 into 3 blues: I whit, it is obvious that T. 11 contains the
recessive gene p as T. 13. Since the Fl of T. 13 x T. 8 and T.
13 x T. 12 were pink flowered, T. 8 and T. 12 should \lave
the factor P. The production of dihybrid ratio of 9 \ 3 : ~4
in Fl' of ~hese crosses indicates that T. 8 and T. !(s~l1l~

192

contain one more factor, besides P. The fact that the mating
between!. 8 and T. 12 has given 9 : 7 ratio in the F, suggests
that each one ' of them contains a factor with complementary
effect. It is known already that B and C ar the two factors
that possess this quality in the production of flower colour. If
T. 8 has B, T. 12 will have its complementary gene C and
vice versa. Since T . 8. X T
II gives a trihybrid ratio and
since it is seen that T . 8 has only two dominant genes for flower
colour, it follows that T. 11 contains the third genC'. As T 12
is shown to contain a gene, complem ntary to one of the
genes in T 8, it is inferred that gene in T. II must be the
same as in T 12. This is confirmed by th observation that F2
progenies of T 11 X T 12 are all white flowered. It has been
proved elsewhere that T. 11 lacks P, while T. 12 has it.
The probable genetic constitution of the petal colour in these
three will correspondingJy be one of the following two:

T.8

T. II

T 12

OObbPP

ccBBpp

ccBBPP

ccBBPP

CCbbpp

CCbbPP

or

It is not possible to say from the data available which of the

two is more appropriate. For the sake of uniformity and simplicity, the first is ac.cepted in the present studies. It has been
a9certained by suitable crossings that T. 10 has similar genic
constitution for flower colour as T 8. It has'also been found that
T. 11 has the same genic formulae as T . 13 for seed colour except
for the recessive gene c.

Pal and Rao (1940) studied the productive capacity of the

gram plant in terms of the number of ovules produced and the
number which develop into mature seeds. They conclude that
the failute to develop all tbe ovules appears to be the expression
ora type of self-inc ompatability known as "reduced seed production." Facts also support the view that ovule abortion is fundamentally genetic in nature. Environmental factors xnay also
ca~ ovJle abortion.
.

PLAT!:! VI

Fil\".
J-j .{ . I.
Fi l;(.~.

~rlll~lll

Fig.

in I . P. Trp" 17
I. P. 7.vl" J i ((ra ll i.

1M

r. I;

<II.

Fil{. 3

Ham.

.:;

,.

Fig. 4

Fig. 3 I . P. 25 (or T . 25) gram.

Fig. 4. Mutant in 1. P. 25 gram.
(By courtesy of Currt nl ScitT/a Vol. 5: Ekbole 1937)

193 )

Mutation. Two mutatidns from T. 17 and T. 25 have been

recorded by Ekbote (1937) vi,z., the tiny-leaved mutant and the
simple-leaved mutant (Plate VI)
Vachhani (1942) studied the enter-relationship of the two
mutant genes viz., simple-leaved and tiny-leaved and showed
each one of the two mutants to be simple recessive to the normal compound-leaved condition and controlled by the interaction of two factors. The presence of two genes Tlv and Sly
produces normal leaf, whereas thei r presence individually gives
the tiny-leaved mutant and the simple-leaved mutant respectively. The double recessive condition also produces the simpleleaved individuals. Their breeding behaviour has also been
studied (Ekbote, 1942), the former being a simple recessive
'to the normal, whereas the latter exhibiting a frequent reversi.
bility. He postulates that a recessive p air of factors tlv are
responsible for the tiny-leaved condition, while a dominant
,pair of factors Tlv are responsiule for the normal compound leaf
character, whereas the gene slv is responsi ble for the expression
of simple leaf condition, its all lomorph Sly representing normal
leaf character. The author also records two more cases of
gene mutations, affecting flower colour and seed-coat colour
,from two progenies of the simple-leaved mutant.
.
Dixit (1932 b) obtained a giant mutant from T. 22 and the
author thinks that it should be placed as a separate species of
the genus, Cicer, as Cicer gigas, for it differs considerablyfrom
aicer arietintJm morphologically as well as cytologically, possessing
2n ... 16. In a mutant Type 79 two stray plants were recor.d e~ which segregated into the ordinary and the gigantic 'form
.(like Type 79), the latter b having as a simple recessive character
(.Anon., 1934-35). The occurrence of sterile plants in Cicer
:arietinum has been recorded by Ayyar (1933). The sterility i~
~aused by the transformation of the various floral parts iotq
'vegetative structures. Tetraploid grams have been obtai,o ed by
-the colchicine treatment, which exhibit increased vigour with
la;rgedeaflets and flowers (Pal, 1939).
PC\l (1936) inye&ti~ated tb,e ca.u~es for the diffut!ntial

( 194 )
attack of' cut-worms on gram and observed that very slightly
attacked varieties possessed a large diameter and extensive
development of the woody tissues. The severely attacked type!,
on the other hand, showed a comparatively smaller stem-diaIntermeter and weak developm nt of the secondary wood.
mediate condition with respect to the stem-diam ter was noticed in moderately attacked va ri eties which resembled the very
slightly attacked typ es in the woody tissu development.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anonym?us. (1934-35).

Sci. !Up., Imperial Institute Agricultural Research, Pusa,

1934-35: 61.

A1am,

M. (1935). A genetical analysis of Cicer arie/inulIJ

Proc. ~~Jld Indian Sci. Congress (agrit.) ; 369-70.

(gram).

Ayyar, V. R. (1933). Occurrence of sterile plants in Bengal grams, Cicer

arielinum. Madras agrie., J. ~1 : 392-393.
Ayyar, R. B. (1937). Inheritance of characters in gram Citer arietinum.
Foliage colour and rough seed coat. Madras agric. J., 115 : 207-208.
:A-yyar, V. R. and Iyer, R. B. (1936). A preliminary note on the mode of
inheritance of reaction to wilt in CieeT arie/inum. Proe. Indian Aca. Sci.,
S : 43 8-443.
Ayyar, V. R. and Balasubramaniam, R. (1936). Inheritance of certain
colour characters in gram, Cieer arittinum. Proe. Indian Aea. Sci., " :
1-26.

Ayyar, V. R. and Balasubramaniam, R. (1937). Inheritance of branching

habit in gram. Cit" arietinum. Madras agrie. J., ~5 ; 105-106.
Cbandrasekharan, S. N. and Ramakrishnan, T. S. (19118). Botany of lome
useful plants, I. Madras agrie. J., 16: 5 - I I .
Dixit, P. D. (1932 a). Studies in Indian pulses. A note on the cytology of
'Kabuli' and 'Desi' gram types. ],uiian J. agrie. Sci., 2 : 385 -390.
Dixit, P. D. (193'2 b) . Studies in Indian pulses. A case of gigantism in gxam.
Cieer aritti1lUl1l. Indian J. agrie. Sci., 2: 391-408.
Ekbote, R. B. (t937). Mutations in gxam, Citer ari,tinum L. (Jurr. Sci., 5 .:
648-649.
Ek}>ote, R. B. (19411) . Genetics of two mutations in Cieer. Indian J. Gmet.
Pl. Breed. , 2: 50-65'
.
Howard, A. Howard, G. L. C. and Khan, A. R. (1915)' Some varietiea of
Indian gram, Cicer aruti_ 1.. Mtm. Dep . .4,ne. I""ill (Bol. $ .), 7 i
~l5

195

Khan, A. R . .and"Akhtar, A. R . (1934)' The itlheritance of petal oolour 'ia

gram, Cicer arietinum. Agrit. Live-stk.
India, 4: 127-55.
McKewal, A. (1924), A note on the 'gram !crop in Burma. Proc. loth Indi"
, Sci. Congress (agNe.) : 188.
Mahta, D . N. (1933). Allnual Report Section of Second Economic Botanist Dep.
agrk. Central Provinces and Berar, 1931t-33.
Pal, B. P. (1934). Agric. Live-Stk., 4 : 505-5 15'
Pal, B. P . (1936). A note on the relation between the internal stem-structure of certrun vari(,ries of gram, Cieer oric/illum L . and their resistance to
cut-worm attack. Proc. Indian Aca , Sci., 3: 527-34'

Pal, B. P. (1939). ReI}. Imperial economic bolanif/, New Dellli, 10938-39.

Pal, B. P. and R ao, T . N. (1940) Ovule mortality in gram, Cieer arietinum L.
Proc. Imlian Acad. Sci., J:It : 50-61.
Richharia, R. H. and Kalamkar, R. J . (193B). Green seeded gram, Cker
arietinum, in Centra! Provinces. Curro Sci., 7 : 282.

,Ril?hharia, R. H. (1953.)

Improved varicti~ of crop

It (1953) : 26-28.

plants

of Bihar.

Bihar A~ad. Agric. Soi., Bull No.

Shaw, F.j. F. and Khan, A. R., (1931). Studies in Indian pulses. (2) Some
varieties of Indian gram, Cieer arictinurn L. Man. Dep. Agric. India
(Bot. Ser.), 19 : 27-47.
Singh, H. and Ekbote, R. B. (1936) . The inheritance of seed-characters
in gram, Cim arietinum L. Illdian J. agric. Sci . 6 : 1087-1104.
Snrivastava, K . P. (1935)' Annual Report Section of Second Economic Botanut, Dep.
agrie. Central Prov!llCes, 1934-35 .
Sprivastava. K. P. (19S6). Annual Report Section of the Second Economic Bolanirl.
Dep. agrie. Cmtral Province., 1935-36,
.
Shrivastava, K. P. (1938). Amwal Report Section of t"e Second Economic lJolAAir"
Dep. agric. Central Provirlcts, 1937-38 .
Vachhani, M. V . (1942). Further inheritance studies of two mutations 'In
Cicero Indian J. Gtll4f. Pl. Breed., 2: 173-177.
Venkataraman.. K . (1925)' A note on !lrtificial cross-pollination in gram,
Citer arietinum. Proc. IItth Indian Sci. Congress, (agric.) 33-24-'

GREEN GRAM
Phaseolus Linn. p. radiatus Linn. (P. aureus) Leguminosae .
The green gram, Phas.olus radiatus Linn., is known by various
J)lIJnes. in different parts of . India, Viz., Mung, MagI DesMa.
IfJerJlY~;, Bulot, Ghoramuga, Chhtmj', . Pa.chup~aru and Wut~l,_
(\t.c.: ... ~t :.._,-:~o~lx. !.e~~lJl~~~~ I:h~1oIUof, mungo ~nn. Vilr , RoM".:
burgh~iJ the chief differences being shown be!ow:W'. PC? ~ ~~M),.

( 196 )
Mung.

Character,

Urid.

P. mungo Linn.
Mostly spreading or
trailing.
Mostly yellowish
Leaves
green.
with dense
Plants
Hairiness
hairs.
Erect or sub-erect,
Spreading or reflcxed,
Pods
shatter readily and
do not shatter
much and possess
have short hairs.
long hairs.
Small, globose, green, Larger, oblong, green,
Seeds
black or dark-brown;
yellow or blackish.
Seed-coat
Innumerable fine
No ridges.
wavy ridges, sometimes very faint but
never lacking .
liilum
Not concave
Concave.
. Bose (1932) classified this crop into 40 different types, on the
basis of the following characters: (I) seed character, (2) Flower
c:olourl (3) pod colour, (4) leaf-size and (5) habit. Self-polli~~tion appears to be of common occurrence in this crop (Bose,
1939 a, b). Observations on the pollination in this crop in the
9;odavari district have been recorded by Narasimham (1929)"
Variability studies have been made by Richharia (195.3) who
observed nine different types of seed colour. In Orissa three
varieties with d ifferent colours have been recommended vi.t;.,
black, soona and green. In Uttar Pradesh ( U. P.) amongst
other varieties evolved, Type I has proved very useful. In
Bihar the following strains have been evolved (Richharia, 1953) :
There are three distinct types of improved varieties, evolved
80 far viz., black seeded mung, green seeded mung and yellow seedod'mung-. The black seeded varieties are early to maUne, green
reeded varieties ~tand next in ml\~~rity ,meqil,UO) ami yellow

Stem.

P. radiatus Linn.
Mostly erect or suberect.
Mostly green or
dark green.
Plants with hairs

R~onClar~!f!\~

\'

.-

( 191 )
8. R. I. Sud colour, green; Msluri~, medium; Pmmtaglliffuti dal, 70; '
a"'rlr.ge .1ie1d per a.re, 101.11 Ibs. (or 4.89 mdll.)
..
,

O;';';d

B. R.

2. Seed colour, black; Maturi!>', ~arly; Percentage of full dal, 70j Gmwal
average .fold per OGre, 478.76 Ibs. (or 5.83 md,.)
_.

B. R. .g. Seed colour, black; Maturi!>" early; Percelltage of full 4al, 70j - 'Gm","
averaz, yield per am, 486.67 lb. (or 5.93 mds.)

B. R. 4 Seed colour, black; Maturi!>" early; Percentage of full dat, 65; Glflef'al
yield per acre, 529 lbs. (or 6.45 mds.)
Sled colour, yellow; Maluri!>', late; Percentage offu// dol, 60; General
yield per aCTe, 408.33 Ibs. (or 4.98 mds.)

B. R. 5

B. R. 6. Seed colour, yellow; Maturity, late; Percentage of full dal, 75; General
yilldperacre, 393.27Ibs. (or 4.79 md,.)

S. T . 7. Seed colnur, yellow; Maturi!>" late; Percentage of full dol, 70; Generl1,l
yield per acre, 411.41 Ibs. (or 5.02 mds.)
(The original variery S. T. 7 had deteriorat('d considerably but the same
material was used for improvement by progC'ny row technique. The
original nomenclature, howevc;r, has been retained for the new strain,
80 evolved .)
The general average yield of these strains, taken as a whole, comea
to 5.41 mds. per acre.
As regards the general suitability of these strains it has been concluded .t~~
on the whole, these strains are better suited to South Bihar for areas representative
of 5abour conditions. B. R . I . (green seed('d) has shown good response under
the North Bihar conditions also. Again between the three groups of strains,
the green seeded and black seeded strains are of wider application. The yellow
seeded mung strains possess very attractive seeds which are considered as qualitygrains (Sona mung).

Bose (1939 a, b) studied the genetics of this species and recorded the following observations made in a cross between
Pus a Types 18 and 36.
Type 18

Type 36.

Dark green seed,

AABB.

Pale lemon-yellow
seed (recessive),
a. bb.

Dull seed surface,

CC.

surface
Shining
(recessive), ce.

Mode of
inheritance.
Two genes
(9: 3 ; 3_; D
Monogenic.

( 198 )
,Light
yell~wish
olive Bowers i.e., .
colour of the .
standard, 00.

Olive yellow
flowers (Feces.
sive), oo

Colour of the unripe pods is controlled by the same genes

which determine the inheritance of flower colour. No linkage
exists between seed~coat colour and the nature of the seed surface
nor between any of these and flower colour. The inheritance
of maturity, length and diameter of the pods, in each case, is
controlled by multiple factors. No relationship exists between the
qualitative and the quantitative characters.
Observations with respect to the inheritance of some of these
characters have also been recorded in the scientific reports of
the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi,
1936, p. 56.
Chromosome number in this species was found to be
2n=24 (Rau, 1929).
The root system in the Pusa types was stud ied by Bose and
Joglekar (1933) and two principal systems were distinguished,
viz., mesophytic and xerophytic.
BIBLIOGRAPHY..
Bose, R. D. (1932). Studies in Indian Pulses, NO.4. Mung or green gram
(Phaseo/us radiatus Linn.) . Indian J. agric., Sci., 2 : 607-624.
Bose, R. D. (1939 a). Studies in Indian Pulses, IX. Contributions to th~
genetics of Mung (Phaseo/us radiatus Linn. Syn. P. aureus Roxb.).. Indian
J. agric. Sci., 9 : 575-594'
Bose. R. D. (1939 b). The genetics of MUllg (Phaseo/us radiatus Linn.) Proc.
!15th Indian Sci. Congress (agric.), 213 .
Bose, R. D. and Joglekar, R. G. (1933). Studies in Indian pulses,
No.6. Thp. root systems of green and black grams. Indian J. agrie.
Sci., S : 1045-1056.
Narasimham, M. (1929). A note on the pollination of bl?-ck and gJ.1een grams
in the Godavari district. Agrie. J. India, lZ4 : 297-40 1
Rau, N. S. (1929). Further contributions to the cytology of some crop plants
of South India. J. Indian bot. Soc., 8 : 201-206.
Richharia, R. H. (1953). Improved varieties of crop plants of Bihar. Proc.
Bihar A.cad. A.tric. Sci., BuI.l NO.2 (1953) : 31-32.

(
Phaseolus Linn.
,Leguminosae.

199 ) .

BLACK GRAM.
Phaseolus mungo Linn. var. Roxburghii.

Phaseolus mungo, the black gram, is known locally as Adad

(Baroda), Kalai (Bengal and Bihar), and Urid (Central Provinces,
Bihar and Bombay). It resembles "Mung," Phaseolus radiatus Linn., very closely. The distinguishing characters between
these two species are given on page 196. There are two cultiva.o
ted forms of this crop, one wi th larg black seeds and the other
with small green seeds. 25 types have been distinguished on
the basis of seed, flow rand pod colours (Bose, 1932) . A new
variety has been described by Ayyangar and Krishnaswami
(1935) which is characterised by its purpl pods. Four improved
varieties, described below, have been evolved for Bihar (Richharia, 1953). Botanical and cytological studies in the cultivated and wild species of Phaseolus have been done at Poona
(Kumar, 1939). Self-pollination is the general rule in this
crop (Bose, 1932 ; Narasimham, 1929). Diploid chromosome
number in this species has be n record d to be 24 (Rau, 1929).
Two chief types of root-system viz., mesoplrytic and xerophytic,
were distinguished by Bose and Joglekar (1933).
IMPROVED VARIETIES, EVOLVED IN BIHAR
B. R. 10. Sud colour, dark black; Seed site, medium (Number of seeds per oz.,
707); Pod, black and hairy; Number oj days betwan sowing and firstjlow6f'ing (mllturiry ), 43 (average); PeretTltage oj Jull dal, 70; Protein jJerCtlltage, 21'75; Gtneralyieldper acre, 677.09Ibs. (or 8.26 mds.).
B. R. 61. Seed colour, shining with black mottling (olivaceous black); Sted
site, small (number of seeds per oz., 916); Pod, brown and hairy;
Numb er oj days between sowirzg and first Jlowering (maturiry), 44 (average);
Percentage oj Jull dal, 70; Protein percentage, 22.65; Gmeral )ield per acre,
732.36 lbs. (or 8.93 mds.).

S. T. 8. (Pure) . Seed colour, brown (drab); Seed size, medium (Number of

seeds per OZ., 753); Pod, brown and hairy; Number qf days between sowing
andJirstjlowering (maturiry) , 41 (average) : Percentage oJJull dal, 70;
Proteirzpercentage, 21'20; Genera/yield per acrr, 656.34 lbs. (orS'oo mds.).
(The origina~ variety S. T. 8 had deteriorated considerably, but the

( 200 . )

lame material was used, for improvement by progeny row technique.

.. . The original nomenclature, however, has been retained for the new
.
. .... :" tra"i:n; M evolved.) .
B. R. 68. Seed colour, dirty black (dark neutral grey): Seed me, comparatively
bi!l' (number of seeds per oz., 641); Pod, brown and hairy: Numb" of
dDJ& between sowinl and first flowering (maturity), 39 (average); Percentag'
of/ull dal, 65; Protein percentagt, 21.45: General yield per am, 646.59 Ibs.
(or ,.88 mds.).
The general average yield of these strains, taken as a whole, comes to
It~7 mw. per acre.
These strains are especially recommended for cultivation in are&!! which approach conditions, prevalent at Sabour.

BIBUOGRAPHY.
Ayyangll.r, G. N. R. and Krishnaswami, N. (1935)' A new variety of black
gram or Urid (Phastolus mungo Linn.) Curro Sci., ~ : 32.
Bose, R. D. (1932). Studies in Indian puhes, NO.5. Urid or black gram
(Phaseolus mungo Linn. var. Roxburghii). Indian J. aerie. Sci., II : 625-637.
Bose, R. D. and Joglekar, R. G. (1933). Studies in Indian pulses, No.6.
The root systems of green and black grams. Indian J. alrie. Sci., 3 :
1045- 1056 .
:Kumar, L. S. S. (1939). AnnualRep. D,p. agrie. Bomba)lProvi"ce, 1938-39: 187.
Narasimham, M. (1929). A note on the pollination of black and green gram
in the Godavari district. A.gric. J. India, ~ : 297-401.
Rau,N.S.(1929). Further contributions to the cytology of some crop plants
ofSouth India. J. Indian bot. Soc., 8 : 201-206.
Richharia, R. H. (1953)' Imp roved varieties of crop plants of Bihar. PrOD.
Bihar Acad. Agric. Sci., Btill. No. :I (1053) : 33-34

INDIAN FIELD AND GARDEN BEAN.

,.

Dolichos Linn. Dolichos lablab Linn. Lt'guminosae.

I ts original home is probably India. The bean is cultivated
throughout India, both as a field and as a garden crop. It is
,kn,own by various names in different parts of India, ~uch I:U.
,Popat (Central Provinces) Anapa and Chikkudu (Telugu),
:Mochai (Tamil) Avare (Kanarese), Shim (Bengali) and Val (Guja' rati and Marati). It is also called the liyacinth bean or the
Bonavist. Botanically the species has been described by Chandra.sekharan and Ramakrishnan, (1928).
T.wo chief commercial varieties are recognised: Var. rypic"s, grown in gardens and Var. lignosus, grown as a field
crop. Jogi Raju (1923) records ten varieties.

The. (dUowing eight strains of Madras deserve special ' meirt

, tion" ~

D. L, 173. It is a field variety with white .eed.

D.. L. 231 - It i. a field variety with buff .eedl.
D. L, 279. The pods are long and loft in texture, borne on long peduncle~.
D . L. 692 : The pods are long, very Iweet and fleshy. .
D. L . ''''53. The pods are medium .ized, sweet and fleshy.
D . L. 250. The poda are mediumlized, very sweet and fleshy, borne on long
pedunclel.
D. L. 259. The pods are medium sized, broad, green and fleshy.
D. L. 247. The pods are small, green and fleshy, borne in axillary cluster~.
A number of imprOVed varieties have also been evolved in Bihar (Ricbharia,
(953).
Peas and also beans cultivated in Burma have been recorded in a bulletin
entitled. "The peas and beans of Burma," published by the Department
of Agriculture, Burma.

Genetics. Four types of seed-coat colours in Dolicho$

lablab were recorded by Ayyangar and Nambiar (1985 b) viz.,
black, chocolate, khaki and buff. Khaki is shown to be the
basic colour for the chocolate and black. Crosses between buff
and each of the other three colours have shown buff to be recessive and the segregation in F. to be simple monohybrid ratios.
Factor K produces the khaki colour and colours the micropylar
zone. Factor B1 produces the buff colour and colours the
whole of the seed-coat, except the micropylar zone. These
factors show absolute linkage.
'.
Ayyangar and Nambiar (1935 a) studied the genetics of this
species as f~llows: The downward hairs (H) in the int~r~
nodes of the garden variety are a simple domi~ant to the up~
ward hair (h) of the field-variety. Erect pods (E l Ell) are do:minant to drooping pods (e l e. ). Two factors exist, eithe,r
of which or both might give erect pods. In the absence .of
both, pods droop. Pods of medium width (WI) proved dO'l.lii'nant to pods of narrow width (WI)" In narrow podded garden
varieties the septate (S) condition of the pods proved do~in~t
to the ,non-septate (.) bloated condition. In lela varieties
.all pods are green in colour. In garden varieties pods may

( I. 202 )

also be light green in colour. This' difference is. re-fiected

in the whole plant.
The normal green colour (Ca) is a .imple
dominant to the light green (c:a).
Ayyangar, Nambiar and Krishnaswamy (1936) record
seven purple pigmented and one green type isolated from the
field bean.
Along with the four s ed-coat colours, already
mentioned, th authors have identified sixteen genotypes.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Nambiar K . K. K. (1935 a). Studies in Dolichos
lablab (Roxb) and (L). The Indian field and garden bean, I. PrDc.
Indian Aca. Sci., n -(B) : 857-67.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and ambial", K. K. K. (1935 b). Studies in Dolichas
lab/ab (Roxb) and (L). The Indian field and garden bean, II. Proc.
Indian Aca. Sci., n. (B): 74-79.
Ayyangar, G. N. R . Nambiar, K. K. K. and Krishnasw~y. P . .(1936).
Studies in Dolichos lablab (Roxb) and (L)-The Indian field and garden
bean, III. Proc. Indian Aca. Sci ., IV-(B) : 411-433.
Chandrasekharan. S. N. and Ramakrish na n. T. S. (19'28). Botany of some
useful plants-III. Madras agrie. J., 16 : 279-'288.
logi R aju, G. (19'23) . Madras agric. J., I I : 123.
Richharia, R.H. (1953) Improved varieties or crop plants of Bihar. Proc. Bihar.
Acad. Agrie. Sci., Bull. No.2. (1953)

LATHYRUS.
Lathyrus Linn.

Lathyrus sativus Linn.

Leguminosae.

Lathyrus sativus is known by various local names in different

parts of the country, such as Khesari, latri, lakh, lang and leora.
The seeds are generally fed to cattle. It is also used as a food
.in the form of pulse. It is believed that its constant use causes
a form of paralysis, known as lathyrism, in human beings. It is
said that an alkaloid present in the pulse i~ responsible for this
disease.
Howard, Howard and Rahman (1910) record that out of
ten plants, nine showed splitting in 1910 at Pusa. The percentage
of crossing showed a great variation between one and thirteen
percent. in progenies grown in 1925 at Pusa (Howard and

.( ,203 ')
Khan, 1928). General biology.has been worked out by Howard
and Khan (1928) ,_
The crop was divided into 56 types by Howard and Khan
(192~), ch~efly on the, foilowing JDorphological chara<;ters:
l~

Colour of the flow,er.

2. Presence or absence of red pigmentation on the green
pods.
3. Colour and mottling of the seed-coat.
Roy (1933) observed n= 7 at meiosis in Lathyrus sativus.
The fnllowing improved varieties have been evolved in Bihar
(Richharia, 1953.)
B. R. 3. Habit, crect; Leaf si.{e, broad; .Flower colour, blue with red splashes
on back of standard; Pod colour, green with light-faint red straps; Seed
colour, fawn with black mottling; Seed si'{e, medium; Number of days
between sowing andfirstflowering (maturiQi), 89; Genera/yield per acre, 983Ibs.
(or 11.99 mds.).
B. R . 13. Habit, spreading; Leaf size, narrow; Flower colour, blue with purple
splashes on back of standard; Pod colour, grecn with red mottling; Seed
colour, grey with heavy black mottling; Seed si,{e, bold; Number of days
between sowing andfirstflowering (maturiry), 100; GeneralyieldJHr acre, 1078
Ibs. (or 13.15 mds.).
B. R. 14. Habit, erect; Leaf si,{e, broad ; Flower colour, faint blue with ~rimson
splashes on back of standard; Pod colour, green with red mottling; Seed
colour, grey with rcd mottling; Seed si'{e, bold; Number of days be!ween
sowing and first flowering (maturiQi), 92; GeneraL yield per acre, 1011 lbs.
(or 12.33 mds.).
The general average yield of the improved strains, taken as a whole,
comes to 12.44 maunds per acre.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Howard, G. L. C. and Khan, A. R. (1928). The Indian types of LathyfUS sativus L. Mem. DIp. Agrie. India (Bot. Ser.), !lI: 5'-77.
Howard, A. Howard, G. L. C. and Rahman, (1910). Crops with closed flowen.
Mem. Dep. Agrie. India (Bot. Ser.), 3 (No. f) : 30 3, 304, 306.
Ray, B. (1933). Studies in the development of the female gametophyte in
some leguminous crop plants of India. Indian ]. aerie. Sci." ~ logS1107

Richharia, R . H. (1953). Improved varieties of crop plants of Bihar. Bihar

A,ad. Agm. Sci., Ball. No (1953) : 30-3"

.Pisum

Linn. P. sativum. }

i.egumlnosae.

P: arvense.
Two groups of cultivated peas are recognised in India' :
Purple flowered peas, Pisum, arvense Linn., known as "Kerac"
and white flowered peas, Pisumsativum Linn., known as "Matter."
56 types of Pisum sativum and 46 types of Pisum arvense were
isolated at Pusa (A non. , 1929-30). Botanically it has been
des'c ribed by Chandrasekharan and Ramakrishnap (1928).
The strains found useful in Bihar and the Central Provinces
are shown below.
In crosses made at Pusa, between white flowered and red
.flo'wered types, F 1 showed the red colour of the flower and red
in the axil of leaf, to be dominant. Preliminary investigations,
on the inheritance of seed colour, have also been carried out at
the same research centre (Anon., 1926-27; Pal, 1939) .
The haploid number in Pisum sativum Linn. has been observ~d to be 7 (Roy, 1933).
Evidence of natural crossing between these two groups has
been r ecorded by Howard, Howard and Rahman (l910) . ,',
BIHAR

S. T.5. u a field pea with good yield.

S: T. 10. 'u also a field pea with good yield.
N. P.

119.

is a garden pea, giving heavy yield and is palatable in green .lage.

Palna Queen. It is a good sized and white grained heavy yieJding variety
which grows very successfully on Chour land.
The first two varieties have been replaced by the following improved va., rieties after 1950 (Ric;l1haria, 1953) :
Pisum salivum.......B. R. II, B. R . III and B. R . liB.
Pisurn arvense-B. R. 178.
B. R. II. (Malar). LAa! sil:.e, medium; LAo,! colour, fresh greenl Flower colour,
w.hite; -Seed colour, creamy white; Slid shape, round; Seed surjac" some-WhAt
_ wrinkled; Seed si, bold ; Mean lenglh of pod, 1-87; MalurilJ (i.e., number of days between sowing and first flowering), 4B; GITlfr()1 yukl;.r
\,_:, ~ am, B08-54- lbs. (OT 9.B6 rods.).
"
B. R. 111. (Malar). LAo,! si<.e.,large; ,Leaf oolour, fresh green, F~ colour, white;
Sud colour, creamy white; Seed#laJte. round; Slid surfacl, smooth; Slid lLCI.

( 205 ).
very bold: M,an length oj ADa, 3.0'2" ;' Maturity (i.e., number of days
between sowing and first flowering), 55; Generalyield per ocr. : 730'05 Ibs.

.
(or 8.g mds.).

B. R. 118. (Matar). Uqf noee, medium; Leoj' colour, fresh greeJ;l; Flower colour,
white; Seed colour, creamy white; Seed shape, round; Seed SUrfacl,
smooth; Seed si,ce, medium; Mean length of the pod, 2.28"; Maturity
(i.e., number of days between sowing and first flowering), 50 : General
yield per acre,828.29 lbs. (or 10.10 mds.).
B. R. 178. (Kerao) Leaf ske, short; Leaf colour, dark-green; Flower colour,
purple: Seed colour, mottled (brown spots on green back ground); Se.d
shape, barrel-shaped (with depressed sides): Seed surface. depressed sidel.:
Seed si,ce, small; Flow,r colour, purple; Mean length OfPDd, 1.5"; Maturity
(i.e., number of days between sowing and first flowering), +7:
General yield per acre, g8,1- lbs. (or 12 mds.) .
The general average of yields of these improved strains, taken as a whole,
from figures of different yean and 'different places comes to 9.6 mdll. per aerc:.
:ren fixed hybrids have also been established from a cross, P. sativum (No. 80) X
P. aroense (B. R. 178), combining heavy yields with other desirable economic
characters (Richharia, 1953)'

CENTRAL PROVINCES AND BERAR

Khaparkheda. It is a good garden as well as field crop, plump and Iweet.

It responds well to irrigation and manure.
Damoh Plas. It is a good type of field pea, very superior to the local.
It possesses small sized seeds which do very well in Haveli lands without
irrigation, not so delicious as Khaparklttda PC3.'5. The se'eds are round
(bold) and of pinkish white col0ur.
BIBIlOGRAPHY.

AIIIIR)'mous (1926-ll7). Scientific Rep. Imp. agric. Research Insl. Pusa, 192617 : 1I0.
Anonymous (1929-30). Scientific Rep. Imp. agric. Research Inst. Pusa, .9119-30: 26.
Chandrasekhllt:an, S. N. and Ramakrishnan, T. S. (1928) . Botany of WJ]le
useful pJanta-JV. Madras agric. J., 16 : 371-376 ..
Howard, A,., Howard, G. L. C. and Rahman, (1910). Crops .w.ith closed
flowers. Mem. Dep. Agric. India (Bot. SM. ), 3 (N0. 4); g03, 304, g06. ,
Pal, B. P. (lg39)' Report if Imperial economic botanist, New D~thi, 1938-s,: "
Roy: B. .( 1933) . Studies in t~e devclopJ?lCD t of the female gametophytc ~ some
leguminous crop plants of India. India" J. agric. Sci., 3 : log8-n 0 7
lttchharia, R. H. '(1953). Improved varietid of crop plants 6fBihat. BiMlt
Ac~ .diric, Sei., Ball. No . 1~5Sl. .: 2830'

..' : .:

( 206 )

SOYBEAN
G!Jcine Linn.

Legum~osae.

Glycine hispida Maxim.

The soybean is chiefly cultivated in the Northern tracts

of India and Burma. The seeds which also yield oil ar used
It is cultivated for green fodder and green
as human food.
manure as well.
Varietal characters of soybeans aI1d six
types, found in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, were described by
' Woodhouse and Taylor (1912). In Bihar black mottled java ana
'yellow (Anon., 1937) and in Assam barmali varieties have been
recommended. Sayer (1933) records three selections made at
PUla which are considered to be superior to several varieties,
grown in this country. In Bihar and Orissa selection work
,on 'this crop was carried out by the Department of Agri,culture for a number of years and annual reports of the Depart'ment, between 191112 and 191920,maybe consulted. TrIal)
were also made in the Central Provinces and a brief account
has been presented in a leaflet of the Department of AgriculJure of that province, entitled "Soybean" (1935).
A short account of cultivation of soybeans has been record
ed by Goodwin (191011) who also refers to six varieties.
~everal varieties of soybeans from Manchuria, Japan and
the United States of America were tried in Sind, without much
success (Jenkins, 1932).

BmLlOGllAPHY
.fIJo1!1J'lOlU. (1937). Soyabean-Leaf-let, Dep. A,gri&. Bi}UJT, 1937.
~
Goodwin, P. W. (1910-10-). Soy-bean, G~ciru saja. QIlar. J . Dep. agri,. Bt1I/Jal.,

.. : 143- 1 46
JmkiOl, W. J. (19311'. IltmuallUp. Dep. agri&. Sind, 193O'SI lll71 .
Woodhouse, E. J. and Taylor, C. S. (19111). The varieties of soy~bean; found
in lkngal, Bihar and Orissa and their commercial possibilities. ' Mem i
D~pl . Agne. India (Bol. Sty.), 5 : 103-176.

~'av~r: M .. W. (1933~ . Soybean (G{)'ciru hispifla M~jm,), Attie. L~vt~s,~., /'1f~

,,: 4700-474-

"'"

, .

_.

, " t, .

\ oJ

r ' , :e,__

'I~ __

"

..

' .;, ' .

 ( 207

CLUSTER BEAN.
C)amopsis DC. Cyamopsis psoralioides DC., Leguminosae.
(Cyamopsis tetragonoloba.).
Cluster bean, Cyamopsis psoralioides. DC., is an important
leguminous pulse crop, the poor men's vegetable, and is cultivated almost throughout India.
Ayyangar and Krishnaswamy (1933) * studied the chro.
mosome number and found the haploid and diploid number
to be 7 and 14 respectively.
Chandrasekharan and Ramakrishnan (1928 a) briefly des.
cribed this species botanically.
DEW GRAM.
Phaseolus Linn. Phaseolus aconitifolius Jacg. Leguminosae.
The dew gram P. aconitifolius, known as Metk in Bihar, is a
'native ofIndia. It is grown for fodder and for green manure.
The young pods arc also used as a vegetable and the seeds
cooked for food. Chandrasekharan and Ramakrishnan (1926 a)
record a brief botanical description of the species.

COW PEA.
Leguminosae.
Vigna catjang.
Vigna sinensis.
The cowpea is an indigenous plant and is locally known as
Barbati (Central Provinces and Bengal) and Bora (Bihar). It
has been botanically described by Chandrasekharan and Ramakrishnan (1928 C). Hybridization work was carrkd out by
Ri.chharia and Roy (1948) (also see Roy and Richharia (1948)
ip BiQar, also referred to below, resulting in the establishment
ot five fixed hybrid which combine the desirable characters
.fro~ t~ two established varieti s St. and St,. Improved strains
evolved in Madr3.l!, Co chin State and Bihar (Richharia. 1953)
are recorded below :
'" lnhedtan.ce 'atudies were .carried out of some of the
characters (Roy and Richharia, 1948) uP. it waa Cbncludi ;
Vigna

Savio

208 )

1. That with respect to ~eed-'coat cblour, black seed-coat is

dominant over red seed-coat, inheritance being monogenic.
2. That maturity ranged from early with first flowering in
49 days to late with first flowering in94 days. The F 1 showed
an intermediate condition, tending towards earliness. It is
probable that the inheritance of maturity is controlled by two
. pairs of factors.
3. That fruit length ranged from long, 31 inches to short,
13 inches. The F 1 showed an intermediate condition,. tending
. ~o~ards small fruit. The typical Ty/Je 2 fruit did not appear in
any ~f the generations studied. It is assumed that more than
two pairs or perhaps ven more than three pairs of genes may
be responsible for fruit length, but no definite conclusion could
be reached.
4. That number of seeds per fruit varied from 13 distantly
.spaCed seeds to 16 closely spaced seeds. No conclusions could
be arrived at on the inheritance of this character. Detailed
observations were recorded , however, from different generations and selection of desirable hybrids was made in various
generations.
Rau (1929) h as studied chromosome number in three diffe:t:ent strains of this species and 'found it to be 21' (2n), but there
exists a difference in the size of the chromosomes, increasing
:\'{ith the increase in the size of the plant body.
MADRAS.
C.

It is a strain for grains which are buff coloured, duration of maturity being 95 days.
fJ. 422. It u a strll:in for foliage, giving heavy cuttings, duration ofmatur.ity
,
being 125 days.
C.57. It u good for both grain and foliage" duration of maturity being 85
, days.
C. 419. It is a stram for vegetable pods. Pods are about t feet long,
\
light grecn, sweet and fleshy, duration of maturity being 100 days.
5111

COCHIN STATE.

'g. 11. No. I. It is a fiiriy prolific strain, maturing eatly.ahd producing about
: lwo..:fcct 10nlJ-white.pocb "
:.J

209

E. B. No . 2. It is also a fairly prolific early maturing strain, producing about

feet long red pods.
E. B . NO.3. It is a very prolific strain, producing about ten inches long scarlet
pods.

Ii

E . B . NO. 4. It is a late maturing and fairly prolific strain, producing about

one foot long white pods.

BIHAR
The varieties S.T. " S.T. 2 and S. T. 3 were evolved prior to 194-2,
whereas varieties V . C. 4 and V. C . 5 were added later on, as a result of
breeding work commenced on the loca l materia l, collected from the district
of Singhbhum. During 1948-49, S. T' :-I threw out two new types
(mutants) bearing black seeds and light-red seed~ respectively.

S. T.

I. Stem colour, purpli ~ h tinge (unth' shed, green); Node colour, purple;
Pod colour, green; Average lerlgilt of flod, 11.05"; Average tltJmher of suds
per pod, 17; Maturi!>" late i.e., NUlllhcr of day. between sowing and firstflower,
ing, (14; Flower colour: Standard, Baryta yellow with shades of light
purple ; Witlg, light violet-purple; Seed colour, light morocco-red.

S,T, 2. Stem colour, green; Node colour, grl"t'n; Pod colour, light green; Averall
l~ngth oflind, 31"; Average number of seerls per pod, ' 3; Maluri!>" early i.e.,
Number of days between sOI"ing and firJI flowering, 49; Flower colour:
Standard, baryta yellow; Wing, light hortense-vio let; Sud colour, black;
Q}lalr!>, of fruits, fibrous.
S. T,3. SUm colour, green; NodJ colollr, green: Pod colOllr, light green; Avtragl
length of pod, 13". Averags IlIImbtr 'If Jc,dJ per pod, 16; MattJri!>" late i.e.,
Number of days between sowill"!! alld fir., flowerill.t;, 94; Flower colour:
Standard, baryta yellow ; Wing, light hortense violet; Seed colour, red;
Quali!>, offruits, tender.
V. C. 4. Stem colour, light green; Node colour, light green; Pod colour, very
deep purple; Average length of Pod, 6.2 " ; Average number of seeds per pod,
14; Maturi!>,. late i.e., Number of days between sowing alldfir.'1 flowering,
107; Flower colour: Standard, light green yellow; Wing, white with
shades of light blue violet ; Seed colour, cream.
V.

c. 5.

Stem colour, light green; Node colour, light green; Pod colour, deep
green; Averag' lmgth ofpod, 6.6" ; Number of .teed., per pod, 12; Maturi!>"
medium i.e., Number of days betweell .rowi"g .Qtldfirstjlowering, 89; Flower
colour: Standard, picric yellow with green ~hades; Wing, white with
shade, of light blue-violet: Sud colour, creamy.
Fixed hyhrids (Richharia and Roy, 1948; ~oy and Ricl}haria T9f8), Ricbharia,
J953)

( 210 )
H.

r.

H.

r.2.

H.

r.

I. Stem colour, purple tinge; Nod, colour, purple; Pod ~lour, green;
Average length of pod, 16" ; Average rtumber of suds per pod, 15; Maturi!)!,
early i.e., Number of days between sowing andfirstflowering, 47; Flower colour:
Standard, baryta yellow; Willg, royal purple; Seed-coat colour, black;
Origin, F1-.B.

Stem colour, green; Node colour, green; Pod colour, green; Average
length of pod, 16" ; Average Plumber of seeds per pod, 16 ; Maturi!)!, early
i.e., Number of days belwmt sowing and first flowerillg, 46; Flower colour:
Standard, baryta yellow; Wing, royal purple; Seed-collt colour, black;
Origin, F,-,B.

3. Slem colour, purple tinge; Node colour, purple; Pod colour, green;
Average length of pod, 16"; Average numher of seeds per pod, 17; Mllturi!)!,
early i.e., Number of days between sowing and first flowering, 98; Flower
colour; Standard, baryta y Jl ow; Wing, royal purple; Sud-coat colour,
red; Origl1l, F.- H1R.

H. 1'. 4. Stem colour, purple tinge; Node colour, green; Pod colour, green; Averag'
l,ngth ofpod, 15" ; Average tlumhtr of seeds /ler pod, 13 ; Maturity , medium
i.e., Number of days betwe," sowitlg alld first flowering, 46; Flower colour :
Standard, baryta yellow; Willg, royal purple; Seed-coal colour, brickish
.
red; Origin, F!-16R.
H. r. 5. Stem colour, purple tinge; Node colour, green; Pod colour, green; Averag'
lengthojpod, 18"; Average lIumber of seeds per pod, 15; Alaturi!)!, early
i.e., Number of days he/wBeII sowillg and first flowering, 47; Flower colour ;
Standard, baryta yellow; Wing, pale violet-blue; Seed-coat colour, light
morocco-red; Origin, F2-25 R.

Pachyrhi;;us Rich. Pachyrlzhus angulatus Rich.

Leguminosae.
This bean, being grown in Assam, Bihar and Burma, is
'known as Sakalu (Assam), Mishrikand (Bihar) and Pe'-sein-Sa-u
(Burma). The beans and seeds are believed to be poisonous. It
is cultivated only as a root crop. Rao (1918) records a short
description of this species.

BROAD BEAN.
Vicia Lin~.

Vicia faba Linn.

Leguminosae.

. ,road bean or horsebean, locally known as Bakla sem, is

chidly grown as a garden crop, its young beans being eaten.

( 2Tl
Evidence of natural crossing in Vitia faba Linn. has been
recorded by Howard, Howard and Rahman (1910). Richharia
(1953) describes six strains of this crop as follows:
B. R. I. (Loca l 1). Seed colour, black, Seed sice, small; Setd surface, smooth;
Number of days between sowing and first flowering, 59.
B. R. 2, (Local 2) Seed colour, dull-yellow; Seed-.ru;e, small; Seed surface, smooth;
Number of doys belwun sowing and first flowering, 60.
6-26-2 (N. P.) Seed c%ur, chocolate-brown; Seed sice, small; Sr.ed surjaCl,
wrinltled; Numher of days hetween sowing and first flowering, 58.
79-F (N. P.) Seed colour, brown; Seed site, smaIl; Sud surface, wrinkled ;
Number of days between sowing alldfirstflowmng, 53.
30-A (N. P.). Seed colour, chocolate-brown; Seed site,

wrjnltled; NumbeT

medium; Sced surface,

of do.ps between sowing and first /towering, 52.

5-44-1 (N. P.). Seed colour, chocolate-brown; Seed ru:.e,' medium; Seed surftue.
wrinkled; Number of days between sowing andfirstflowering, 59.

Phaseolus Linn.

BURMA BEAN.
Phaseolus lunatus Linn.

Leguminosae.

Phaseolus lunatus Linn., called the butter bean or Burma

bean, is a native ofBra.zil. I t is grown as a vegetable crop in many
parts ofIndia. Chandrasckharan and Ramakrishnan (1928 a)
record a brief botanical description of the species.
Inheritance of seed-coat colour in Phaseolus lunatus Linn.
was studied by Rhind (1933). He found that a gene R produces a rose colour in the seed-coat of some varieties, while an
intensifier P converts the rose colour to purple colour. The
latter, when alone, is inactive. The gene S produces the speckled pattern. It breaks up the rose or purple colour.

FRENCH BEAN OR KIDNEY BEAN.

Phaseolus Linn.

Phaseolus vulgaris Linn.

Leguminosae.

It is a native of tropical America. It is cultivated throughout India as a garden crop. It h as been briefly described. by
Chandrasekharan and R amakrishnan (1928 a).

( 212 )
HORSE GRAM.
Linn. Dvlichos biflorus Linn.
Leguminosae.
This pulse derives its name from the fact that it is fed to
horses. Locally it is known as kulthi in some parts of India.
It is also the poor man's pulse. Botanically, it has been described by Chandrasekharan and Ramakrishnan (1928 c).
Two types of purple pigment p l and p s are observed by
Ayyangar, Rao and Sarma (1934). p l is distinguished by
the presence of purple in the hypocotyle, internodes, petioles,
a purple eye on the standard, and a light purple wash on the
wings, keels and the style when fr sh etc., whereas in pi the
pigment is absent from the vegetative parts, while the flower
colours are the same as in p l. A single factor pair controls
t,heir inheritance. Two strains viz., B.R . 5 and B. R. 10, have
been recorded by Richharia (1953).

o,acJm

GOA BEAN.
Psophocarpus Neck Psophocarpus tetragonolobus DC.
Leguminosae.
!tao (1918) gives a short description of this bean. It is cultivated more for the sak of the roots than for its pods which,
when young, ar sliced and cooked as a vegetable. Botanically
the species has been described by Chandrasekharan and Ramakrishnan (1928 a.)
SWORD BEAN.
Canavalia DC. Canavalia ensiformis DC. Leguminosae.
The sword bean is cultivated throughout India more especially in gardens. It~ original home is supposed to be India.
It also exists in wild for.ms, some of which have been supposed
to be poisonous. .
,
Locally it is known as Makhan Sim (Assam and Bengal),
Abai (Hyderabad), Bara .remi (United Provinces and Punjab).
A botanical description has been recorded by Chandraac:k.haran and Ramakrisbnan ( 1928 b).

213 )

LENTIL
Ervum lens Linn.

Leguminosae.

Shaw and Bose (1928) carried out investigations on the

general biology and classification of lentil (Ervum lens Linn.) :
self. fertilization appears to be the general rule and the crop has
been divided into G6 types, on the following charactcrs:1.
ize, colour and marking~ of the seed.
2. Colour of the flower.
3. Time of flowcring as measured by the opening of the
first flower.
4. Habit.
S. Colour of the leaf.
6. Colour of thc stem.
Pal (1934) records that in most of the crosses made, violet
flower colour behaves as dominant to white and in F!I monohybrid ratio is obtained :

214 )

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215

BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Krishnaswamy, N. (1933)' A note on the chromosome numbers in cluster bean, Cyamopsis psoralioides DC. Indian J. agm.
Sci., 3 : 934-935
Ayyangar, G. N. R., Rao, P. K. and Sarma, P. S. (1934). Preliminary studies
in horse-gram (Do/icho! hi/loros Linn.) Madras aerie. J ., 2::& : 200-204.
Chandrasekharan, S. N. and Ramakrishnan, T. S. (1928 a) Botany oflome
useful plants, I. Madras aerie. J., 1.6 : 5-1 J.
Chandrasekharan, S. N. and Ramakrishnan, T. S. (1928 b). Botany of some
useful plants, n. Madras agrie. J., 1.6 : 105-110.
Chandrasckharan, S. N. and R amakrishnan, T. S. (1928 c). Botany of some
ustful plants, III. Madras agrie. J ., 1.6 : 279-288 .
Howard, A., H oward, G. L. C. and Rahman (1910). Crops with closed
flowers. Mem . Dep. Agric. IndUJ (Bot. Ser.), 3 : (No.4): 303-306.
Pal, B. P. (1934). Recent progress in plant breeding in PU$a. Aerie. Live-Stk.
India, 4 ; 505-5 15'
Rao, Y. R. (1918). orne beans of Burma. Madras agric. J. , 6: 105-106.
Rau, N. S. (1929) ' Further contributions to the cytology of some crop plants
of South india. J. Indian bot. Soc., 8 ; 201-206.
Rhind, D. (1933).
A note on the inheritance of seed-coat colour in PhaseDIus lunatus L. Indian J. agrie. Sci., 3 ; 360-364'
Richharia, R. H. and Roy, R. S. (1948). Inheritance of Seed-coat colour
in Cowpea. Indian J. Hort., 5 (Nos. 1 and 2) ; 24-28.
Richharia, R. H. (1953). Improved varieties of crop plants of Bihar. Bi/uJr
Acad. Agrie. Sci., Bull. No. 11 (1953).
Roy, R. S. and Richharia, R. H. (1948). Breeding and inheritance studies
on cowpea, Vigna sinensis. J. American Soc., Agro',40 ; 479-489.
Shaw, F.]. F. and Bose, R . D . ( 1928). Studies in Indian pulses, I. Lentil
(Ervum lens Linn.). Mem. Dep. Agric. India (Bot. Ser.),16 : 159-189.

CHAPTER V
FIBRES

The fibre industry of India is of paramount importance. This

country occupies the third place of importance with respect to
the cotton trade and perhaps the unique position with respect to
a number of other fibres.
The following crops arc dealt with here.Cotton.
Jute.
Sunn-hemp.
Hibiscus.
Agave or aloe.
Flax.

COTTON
Gossypium Spp. Malvaceae.
In the ninet enth c ntury Watt (1882) and Middleton (1895)
recorded data on the terminology and classification of the
Genus Gossypium. Finucane ( J886) refers to a species of indigenous Khaki-coloured cotton which was grown in Darbhanga ,
Chittagong and Hill Tiperrah. Deshpande (1933) records
evidence from the East India Company's papers that India grew,
till about a hundred years ago, a variety of cotton which was very
fine and silky. It was grown round about Dacca and it disappeared mainly because of deterioration caused by bad handling,
picking and mixing. Royle (1851) records important observations
~n the culture and commerce of cotton in India.
Classification and breeding. Cotton is one of the most
worked crops in India. According to Gammie (1907) there is
only one true species of cotton, grown in this country, Gossypium
ohtusifolium, with its two sub-species, G. arboreum and G. herhaceum,
from which other forms were derived. On the basis of leaf colour
the indigenous types of cotton are classified by Kottur (1930 a)

( 217 )
into three species: G. herbaceum, G. neglectum and G. sanguinum.
Stock (1925) describes twenty types of indigenous cotton from
Burma. Patel (1921) records various types of cotton which are
grown in Gujarat and also a variety, known as goghari of Gossypium
herbaceum, characterised in all its strains by roughness, shortness of
staple and high ginning percentage. Th other two varieties of G.
herhaceum, known as broach deshi or lalio, were also described by
the same author (Patel, 1923). The cottons, grown in Upper
Gujarat, Kathiawad and Kutch, hav been recorded by Patel and
Mankad (1925). Kottur ( 1918) made observations on Kumpta
cotton, belonging to Gossypium herbaceum. Work on the improvement of cotton in the Punjab has been mentioned by Afzal (1936)
and Luthra (1937),'" in Sind by Thadani and Mulchandani
(1930), in Mysore by Ranganatha Rao (1924, 25, 36,) , in Unit d
Provinces by Leake (1908,1915), Leake and Parr (1913) and
Ram Prasad (1922, 24), in Khandesh by Prayag ( 1927, 28) and
in Bundelkhand by Burt and Hyder (192 1).
Improvements in plant breeding technique in relation to
cotton improvement in Central India and Rajputana have been
described by Hutchinson and Kubersingh (1936). The classification of the cottons of Asia and Africa has been drawn up
by Hutchinson and Ghose (1937 c).
Kulkarni (1927) has shown that cotton plants (Gadag No. I
and Sea Island), possessing high values of m an boll-lock number,
breed true and the author concludes that it seems possible to
breed a high yielding strain of cotton from among a commercial
vadety of cotton, if selection is continued for plants, having a
higher percentage of 4-1ocked bolls, provided all other factors,
relating to the yield, remain the same.
A short account on recent improvements in Indian cottons
has been written by Hutchinson (1939).
Useful information on cotton breeding has also been recorded
in various reports of the Indian Central Cotton Committee. Improved varieties of cotton, evolved in different States have
been recorded at the end of the chapter.
Alao Sec Editorial (1939).

( 218 )
Variability in Indian cottons has been described by HutchinSon, Ramiah, et al (1938); Leake and Ram Prasad (1914),
Patel and Mann (1928) and Iyengar (1939). Leaflets and Bulletins have been recorded under BibliographY B.
Self and cross-pollination. Trought (1928) records
observations on the non-dehiscence of anthers in the Punjab.
American cottOns.
Kottur (1919, 30 b) found the following method useful for
selfing in cotton: "Rings made of thin wire were cmployedin place
of paper bags. These were put on the fully developed buds before
they commenced opening. The form ofthe flower being a cone,
there was no difficulty ill putting the rings tight, and these pre
vented altogether the opening of the petals." This method of
selfing has since been very largely employed in India. The use
of selfed seeds in mairJtaining the quality of improved cottons has
been discussed by Kottur (1929).
Observations on natural crossing in cotton have been mad by
Burkill (1907), Leake (1908), Thadani (1920) end others.
Hybridization. Leake (1908) records data on the inheri
tance of leaf coloUr and petal colour. Earlier attempts on the
hybridization of Indian cottons were made by Fletcher in 1906-7
and Fyson (1908). A reference to certain tree cotton crosses,
brought about at Dhulia, has be n made by Main (1907.8).
Habit. Bushy habit is dominant over erect, Fa Showing
mendel ian ratio (Jenkins, 1932).
Node. The node, at which the fitst fruiting branch arises in
different vari ties, is either low down or higher up on the stem.
The character oflow noded first fruiting branch was found domi
nant over the high noded first fruiting branch, F. showing 3:1
ratio (Jenkins, 1932).
Leaf-shape. The inheritance ofleaf-shape in Asiatic cottons has
been described by Hutchinson (1934). There exists a range of types
from laciniated to broad, being the series of mUltiple alleles,
LL, LN, LA, L and I . Then are also two broad leaved allelic
members of the same series, Ln, and Ll, which arose by mutation
in an Lt. plant. Ramiah and Bhola Nath (1941) record a new

( 219 )
gene S-s affecting leaf-shape which is not a member 01 the t.
series of allelomorphs. It arose as a mutant in the South Indian
variety known as c 1 which possesses a three-lobed broad leaf.
In the mutant plant the first one or two leaves are nearly normal.
Hutchinson (1934) put forward a theory of the organization
of the gene to account for the relationships between members of
the leaf shape multiple allelomorph series. Later on Hutchinson,
Ghose and Nath (1939) found a new allelomorph LN in a strain
obtained from Nagpur, Central Provinces, which could not be
explained on Hutchinson's scheme. The authors suggest modification by supposing that sinus length and lobe width are controlled by independent portions of the gene.
Hairiness. Hairiness in cotton has been considered to be
of importance, as it is taken into account in the isolation
of special varieties and races of cotton. I t8 presence or
absence has also been considered to be associated with resistance or susceptibility to various pests. In Southern India,
hairy cottons are consider d resistant to red leaf blight. Genetically
this character has, therefore, been analysed by Kulkarni and
Khadilker (1929) who studied inheritance of his character in
Gossypium hirsutum X Gossypium barbadense. Mohammad Afzal
(1936) noticed the hypocotyledonary region to be glabrous in some
American strains, grown in the Punjab, but the local (Desi)
types had eighty-seven hair per 15 sq. mm. Cotyledons were nonhairy in all varieties. He also observed that the degree of hairiness increases from the bottom of the plant to the top in all
varieties. He, therefore, suggests that while studying the inheritance of hairiness in cotton, the location of the leaf and its age
for hair counting should be fixed while classifying a hybrid
population.
Anthocyaninpigmmt. The inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation in Asiatic cottons has been investigated by Hutchinson
(1932) and he described a multiple allelomorph series of six
members, controlling anthocyanin distribution. Later on he
showed (Hutchinson, 1934) the serial relationship between allelomorphs. Hutchinson and Ghose (1937a) observed a new member,

( 220 )
red spotless R Of , of the anthocyanin multiple allelomorph
series and they point out that the discovery of this gene necessitates reconsideration of Hutchinson's speculation (Hutchinson,
1934) on the organisation of the anthocyanin genes, and leads
to the expectation that genes may be discovered, giving further
combinations of anthocyanin distribution.
Chlonpl!Jll rfeJiciellcy. Hutchinson and Bhola Nath (1938)
observed a chlorophyll-deficient seedling type in a cross
between Malui 9 and a cernuum type. Chlorophyll-deficient seedL
ing was found to be a simpl mendelian recessive to green.
Root. Panse and Patel (1937) pursued a genetical study of
roots in relation to disease-resistance (root-rot disease) in otton.
They have shown that a long tap-root, a large number of laterals
in the lower regions and a small number of laterals in the
upper region, are arsociated with greater resistance to rootrot. A rapid method of expo'jng and examining roots has also
been described by the authors.
Calyx. Rao (1933 b) records the occurrence of small outgrowths on the calyx ring. The character has been observed
to be partially dominant.
Corolla. Inheritance of corolla colour in some Indian
cottons was investigated by Kottur, Mundkur and MaralihalJi
(1931) who observed monohybrid inheritance in yellow
flowered X red flowered cross and dihybrid inheritance in white
flowered X red flowered cross, Fl being dilute reci. The species
involved were :(1) Gossypium sanguineum, a red flowered variety.
(2) Gossypium herbaceum, a yellow flowered variety.
(3) Gossypium neglectum Var. rosea G., a white flowered
variety.
(4) Gossypium neglectum Var. cutchica G.
The authors suggest the factorial hypothesis and the genotypic composition of the parents, as shown below: For theproduction of red colour, both factors, R and Y, are necessary, R
alone producing pink colour and Y alone, yellow colour.
Pollen. Inheritance of pollen colour in both intervarietal

221

and interspecific crosses in two Asiatic cottons, Gossypium obtusifolium and Gossypium herbaceum, was studi ed by Ayyar and Balasubrahmanyan (1933). One facLor controlled the inheritance of
yellow and cream colour. Banerji (1929) observed in a natural
cross f Sea Island coiton that poll n colour (deep-yellow and
creamy-yellow) was determined by a single factor Y, creamyyellow being recessive.
Ovule. Afzal (1935) records the production of extracarpellary ovul s directly from the floral axis above the level
of the carpels in several flowers in a cross, GossyjJium herbaccum (strain 2405) X Gossypium neglectum (ccrnuum). It~ occurrence has been attributed to genetic disturbances.
Boll-dehiscence. Inheritance of the anatomical feature of
boll dehiscence, studied by Abraham (1934), showed that
bad opening is a simple recessive, segregating in 3 : 1 ratio.
Sterilif:Y. Inheritance of 8t rility in cotton, G. arboreum
Var. neglecta, "Million Dollar", was investigated by Hutchinson and Gadkari (1935). They observed a single factor difference
between fertility and sterility, the former being dominant.
A type offemale sterility, due to the abnormal development of
the style and stigma in a pure strain ofG. herbaceum L., was recC'rded. It behaves as a simple mendelian recessive to the
normal condition and is controlled by a pair of factors, represented by Stg-stg (Vijayaraghavan, Jyangar and Rao, 1936 a).
The sterile plants sometimes show the development of the parthenocarpic bolls. General information on sterility has been recorded on page 229.
Wilt resi.~ta1lCe. Inhe-ritance of wilt resistance in cotton has
been studied at Dharwar by Kulkarni (1939). Mundkur (1936)
records valuable information on the. resistance ofAmerican cottons
to Fusarium wilt in India.
Fibre. Koshal, Gulati and Nazir Ahmad (1940) record
observations en the inheritance of three fibre properties, viz.,
mean fibre-length, fibre-weight per unit length and fibre-maturity.
In a cross between a variety with naked seed-coat and low amount
of lint on the seed and another with fuzzy seed-coat and high

( 222 )
amount ofJint, the Fl had naked seed-coat and high amount of
lint. The F I showed three pheno-types only, the double recessive
being absent and the ratio indicating that these factors are completely linked. Similar results were obtained in another cross
in which [actors, representinf:, red sap colour vs. green sap colour
and cluster habit of fruiting vs. non-cluster habit were studied
(Thadani, 1923, 1924 a). Thadani (1924 b) showed naked seed
colour being dominant to "wholly" fuzzy seed in a simple mendelian manner. He also showed that high lint percentage is
dominant to low. That the production of lint is influenced
by more than one pair of complementary factors has been
shown by Reddi (1938) .
Inheritance of the length of lint in intervarietal and
interspecific crosses was studied by Thadani (1925.). He
found that long staple was dominant over short in Fl' In F.
the ratios obtained showed a great variation. He also records
that in the varietal crosses of American upland cottons high percentage of lint on the seed is dominant over low percentage. It
is controlled by a single factor pair. According to Jenkins (1933)
the inheritance of long stapled and short stapled character is
complex, suggestins that this character is not independently
inherited.
Lint colour inheritance in Asiatic cotton was studied in some
detail by Kottur (1923) and Ayyar and Iyer (1933). Fletcher
from Dharwar recorded that colour is dominant over white; while
Kottur investigating the interspecific cross between Gossypium
herbaceu", and Gossypium negtectum found that the splitting is near
about 1 : 2: 1. He also showed that the staple character is hereditary.
Ayyar and Iyer studied the crosses between Gossypium
obtusiJolium, Gossypium indicum and Gossypium herbaceum and found
9: 6: 1,9 : 3: 4, and 9: 7 ratios in the Fm and Fa generations and
they explain their results by assuming a basic gene X to be essential for colour production, but its presence alone does not induce
any manifestation of pigmentation unless it is in conjunction
with either of the factor. K 1, and K .
Inheritance of "Lintlessness" in Asiatic cottons was investi-

223 )
gated by Afzal and Hutchinson (1933). Two types of lintlesmess
were noticed vi.t., hairy lintlessness and glabrous lintlessness which
are controlled by the action of two genes: H L, lethal in the homozygous condition, and giving rise to a hairy lintlessness type
which is rather weak when heterozygous, and H o, recessive to
normal and giving a completely glabrous plant, with only a
very few short hairs on the seed.
Seed character. Reciprocal crosses were made between two
perennial varieties for seed character inheritance, viz., Rough
Peruvian (free seed) and Kidney cotton (Chain seed, i.e ., several
seeds adhering together). Free seed character was dominant
and in Fa, 4.52:1 ratio from the cross with Kidney cotton
as female and 3.81: 1 ratio from the cross with Rough-Peruvian as
female were obtained. The existence of excess dominants
from the theoretical proportion has been accounted for by
the fact that the Kidnty variety does not grow so well as
the other parent at Dharwar where the cross was brought
about and a good number of plants die without producting
seeds (Main, 1911-12). Thadani (1923) records evidence of
linkage of certain seed characters in American cottons. The same
author (Thadani, 1925) investigated the inheritance of seed
fuzziness in cotton. According to the distribution of the fuzz on
the seed-coat the followi ng three groups were distinguished: naked
seeds, partially fuzzy seeds and entirely fuzzy seeds (with three
sub-divisions, i.e., woolly, felted and scanty fuzz). Naked seed
is completely dominant over fuzzy seed in Fl , while in F, the
segregation was in accordance with the simple rnendelian inheritance. In crosses involving other types of fuzziness, the results
were not definite. In r spect of fuzziness, ten grades, from
almost naked seed to fully fuzzy seed, have been distinguished
(HutchinsQn, . Rarniah. et al, 1938; Ramiah and Nath, 1946),
Ramiah and Nath, (1946) further confirm a single gene difference
forming the genetic basis for the distinction between tufted and
fuzzy seed in G. hirsutum varieties, but the expression of
this gene is subject to considerable modification by modifier
genes present in the Indian varieties of G. hirsutum. The tufted

( 224 )

condition is usually partially dominant (Plate VII).

Inheritance of seed weights (weights of 100 seeds, being
classified into light, medium and heavy groups) was studied
by Jenkins (1932, 33) who found the medium weight seeded
type to be dominant, F2 showing definite segregation.
Petalody. The inheritance of petalody in cotton has been
shown to depend on a single factor pair, normal condition
of the flower, showing complete dominance (Ayyar and
Sankaran, 1934). Two types of petalody were observed, the one being seen in a bulk crop of Gossypium indicum
(Sankaran, 1931 ) and the other, in a strain isolated from a
natural cross between Gossypium cernuum and Gossypium indicum
(Ayyar and Sankaran, 1934).
Ginning percentage . Kottur (1923), in a cross, G. herbaceum
:r< G. neglectum, showed that the ginning character is hereditary. According to Jenkins (1933) the mode of inheritance
of high ginning and low ginning condition is complex, suggesting perhaps that this character is not independently inherited.
Other references 011 hybridhation. In the annual reports of the
various Agricultural Research Stations und er the Bombay Department of Agriculture, references to a large nwnber of crosses between various indigenous and other cotton varieties have been
made. In these crosses, however, no inheritance study has been
carried out. Single plant selection technique from variou,
generations has been adopted.
Patel and Patel (1925) studied a cross between BroachDeshi and Goghari varieties of G. herbaceum. Observations were
made on the following characters, but no definite conclusions
could be drawn :
1. Node in the stem from which the fi(st sympodium
arises.
2. Diameter of boll.
3. Shape of boll.
4. Length of staple.
5 .. Weight of aced.

;...

.c

225
6. Lint index.
7. Ginning percentage.
Mohammad Afzal (1928) studi ed the inheritance of nine
characters in a cross, G. cemuum X G. indicum, as shown
below:
G. cernuum had shallow broad-lobed leaves, long bracts, petals
and bolls, very short lint and very high lint index and seed
weight, whereas G. indicum showed shallow broad-lobed leaves
short bracts, petals and bolls, long lint and low lint index
and seed weight. The Fl did not show heterosis, except in
the case of length of petiole. In the cas of Jeaf factor,
leaf-lob index, index of lowest sinus-breadth, length of bracts,
length of petals, length of 001Is and seed index, the F I was
intermediate, while a tendency of dominance of Burma
Silky paren t was shown in the case of width of bolls and
length of lint and of the cernuum parent in the case of lint
index. The depth of laciniation was inherited in a simple
manner. The length and breadth of bracts showed very
little splitting in the F 2, while th rest of the characters
showed very much complicated inheritance. From the correlations worked out, it was noticed that the length of lint was
inherit d independently of lint index and seed index and that
lint index was very highly correlated with seed ind x. It may,
therefore, be quite possible to combine these three highly desirable characters.
Hutchinson and Ghos (1937 b) observed the dominance of
normal to be incomplete. The similar conclusion was also
drawn later by Ayyar (1937).
Hutchinson, Panse and Govande (1938) studied the
inheritance of some agricultural characters in the three interstrain crosses. Three strains of G. arboreum var. neguctum were
crossed in all three possible ways, and parents, F1's and F.'s were
grown in the same year in a ten-block randomised progeny row
experiment.
Hybriditation between Indian and American cottons.
Attempts to make cross~~ ~etween Indian. and, ~erican .

226 )

.cottons have been made from time to time. All the Asiatic
types of cottons possess only half the number of chromosomes of
the Am rican cottons. The crosses between the two races, therefore, are generally difficult to achieve. Desai (.1927) r eords that
Gossypium herbaceum (female) can be crossed with GossyfJium hirsutum (male). The author recommends the tr atment of the
stigma with a dilute solution of' can -sugar and citri acid, prior
to. pollination. The PI hybrid is vigorous, possessing the
characters of the American parent PI' dominant. It was completely sterile, although abundant flowers were produced.
Some artificial and natural Asiatic-American cotton hybrids
were dcscribt:d by Zaitzere (1927 a, b). The results are (f great
int rest to cotton botanists in India. Burt ( 192 7) referred to this
paper and made valuable remarks.
. Patel (1933) records a similar cross between Asiatic and American cotton (G: purpurascens X G. he,.baceum) whicli also proved
sterile.
.
A cross between Goss_rpium stocksii and Gossypium indicum
was done by Afzal,and Trought (J 933). Three of the plan\s closely
resembled the stocksii parent in appearance, while the fourth one
was interm diate. The hybrids were sterile.
.
A natural hybrid between an Asiatic cotton anI,! an American
cotton was, detected at Nag-pur. It was self-stt"rile and only a
single boll with five seeds could be obtained from the back-cross
(Pande, 1938).
At Surat fifteen fertile back-cross plants which combined the
various characters of both the Asiatic and American parents were
obtained (Jenkins, 1939 a). At Coimbatore also interspecific
hybrids, referred to below, were obtained (Anon., 1940).
- Cytology. At Coimbatore in an interspecific cross, Fl of
Anomalum X kdrungantli (G. arboreum var. neglectum forma indica H
and G), the first miotic di"vision was found to be irregular in
having two to six univalents which explained-sterility met.with in
the F I 'so The F I of G. aTl.l'loul'ianum X G. hirsutum was observed
to be a triploid, containing 13 l}ivalents and 13 univalents in the
firJt division (Anon., ~940).
-. I

..
\'"

g;,
1,;:

?'

'";
1,;:

227

Somatic chromosomes (Plates VIII to XI), belonging to the

following species, were studied with special reference to the
nwnber of satellites and nucleoli by Sikka, Khan and Afza]
( 1944).
Cultivated species : 24 Types and G. arboreum and G. herbaceum
Two types of G. hirsutum.
Wild diPloid species:
G. anomalum.
G. davidsonii.
G. harknessii.
G. armourinurn.
G. thurberi.
Banerji (1929) found that the pollen retain their viability

upto twenty-fourth hour after they leave the anthers. Within

the next twenty-four hours they lose their potency. Active
pollen tubes could travel th entire style within twelve hours
after pollination, in Cambodia cotton. In herbaceum cottons two
forms of pollen grains characteristically different were found in
the same androecium. Useful observations on the pollen tube
growth in cotton were also made by Ramanathan and Ayyangar
(1930) and Ayyar and Ayyangar (1932).
Mutations. Experiments with X-raying of cotton proved
unsuccessful (Garu, ) 935) .
Attempts have been made to build up autopolyploids and aUopolyploids of cotton by colchicine and acenaphthene treatments
at Surat (Jenkins, 1939 b) . Amin (1940) used colchicine on
some sterile interspecific hybrids but with apparent success.
Afzal and Singh (1939) record a petaloid mutant in a
pure strain of G. arboreum, forma Bengalensis var. Sanguineum,
neglecta H. and G. and that petalody constitutes a single factor
difference to normal, the inheritance being in the ratio of
1: 2 : 1.
Afzal and Singh (1932) re cord a'lilltless' plant of cotton which
was d 'scovered by Mr. Trevor Trought in a field of molliso,u
(Gossypium inclicum var. mollisoni G:lmmie). It bred true to all 'its
characters (four generatiOlls being raised till the publicatioU ' ,

228

of the paper). The style grew much quicker than the corolla
at the earlier stage. Thus before the flower opened, the
IItigma came up and remained exposed for about seven days.
Later on the cOl'rolla covered the stigma. A complete linkage
between lintlessness and the floral abnormality, described above,
was noticed. The authors, therefore, conclude that the two
mutant genes are situated very close to each other on the same
chromosome.
Afzal (1934) observed a peculiar cotton plant, exhibiting
abnormality in sevC"ral characters.
Exotic varietjes. The American cotton seed appears to have
been imported into this coun try in 1841 when Messrs. Mercer,
Terry, Finnie and Blount brpught wi th the.m cotton seeds of
different kinds from America (if. Proc. Agric. and Horticultural
Socie9J ofIndia, F ebrualJl, 1841 : 12). Since then the area under the
American cottons, well-known for long staple, has been steadily
increasing in the Punjab, Sind and oth r localities.
Hilson (1921) records that when Cambodia cotton, an Upland
American variety, was grown in the Madras Presidency, it showed
deterioration. Burt (1913) records data infavour of the American
cotton grown in the Central Circle of United Provinces (also see,
Burt and Hyder, 1919) . Roberts (1915) refers to American
cottons in the Punjab. (Also see, Anon., 1935,39).
The following tree cotton varieties were tried at Dharwar by
Fletcher in J 906-7. At the same experimental station a number of Russian vari eties proved very late (Salimath,1937).
Caravoni ca.
Rough Peruvian.
Smooth Peruvian.
Kidney.
Barbadense.
Strains from Russia, Turkeslan, Africa, Uganda and the
United States of America were tried at Sakrand in Sind. Some of
the African and Uganda types showed valuable economic charactel.'f (Jenkins, 19'33). Henderson (1911) records observations on
Egyptian and Aln~rica!\ ~ottons tried in the same .Provin<;e.

,;
I
I

..

229

Observations on the Persian, China and Siam cottons, groW1l

in United Provinces, were made by Leake and Ram Pril$ad
(1912 b).
General references. Steriliry.-Kottur (1921 b) observed
the following thre kinds of st rility in Kumpta and other cottons,
growing at Dharwar-(l) affecting all the floral parts except the
calyx, (2) aITectingthe anthers and (3) interfering with the development of the ovules. Continued selling docs not increase sterility of any form in pure strains. Sterility, due to malformation in
Indian cottons, was also observed by Kottur and Patel (1920).
Kottur (1921 b) states that crossing does not cure sterility but, .on
the contrary, seems to encourage it to s'\me extent even by giving
origin to new forms, not found in the parents. Kumar (1937) records
a case of complete sterility in a llerbaceum cotton, the causes of
sterility being ascribed to (a) chromosomal aberration, (b) forma~
tion of abortive pollen and (c) sterility factor, afIi cting the gametes
which, to all appearances, are normal. The sudden appearance
of a few entirely sterile plants and their sporadic appearance,
now and again, which to all outward appearance are diploid in
character is, according to him, due to a retrogressive mutation of
the normal to the sterile type. Leake and Ram Prasad (1912 a)
conclude that a considerable degree of sterility results from selffertilization, repeated through a number of successive generations.
They also mention other details which have been critically analysed by Harland (1923). Genetical literature on sterility has
been recorded elsewhere.
Rao (1932) studied the effect of time of planting on some
economic characters of cotton plant. The strain used Wil$ a pure
strain of Karurzgarmi cotton, G. i7ldicum. The following conclusions were drawn and some useful observations have been made.
Hand dibbling causes some effect on the growth of certain
cotton characters (Vijayaraghavan, Iyangar, and Rao, 1936 b).
Ambegaonkar and Wad (1936) have shown that various
environmental conditions may influence the incidence of
wilt for both susc ptible and resistant varieties of cotton. Rao
and Wad (1936) record obs rvations on the leaf-roll and

230 )

ftd-leaf- of American cottons. Their pot-culture experiments

.uggest that their development may be brought about under
different atmospheric environments, provided the soil surface
t>ecom~ puddled after prolonged saturation.
Rao (1931)
,concludes that naturally fertilised material in cotton can also
be used for the study of charact rs. He also records (Rao,
1933 a) the efft'ct of picking dates of parent seed on some
e{;onomic characters of th progeny plants (also see, Rao,
1928).
The study of th floral anatomy of the Asiatic and American groups of cotton, made by Garu (1937), showed that
by observing the distribution of vascular bundles in the
.floral rec ptacle it is possible to distinguish the wild from
the cultivated species and to divide the latter into five
different species. Ramanathan (1932) studied the deve lopment of ovules with a view to deterrnin the period at which
the differ nce in the lint weights is produced.
At the cotton breeding station, Coimbatore (Madras)
experiments on the vegetative propagation of cotton stem
cuttings have been in progress. It is recGrded that concentrations, ranging between 6-12 mgm. of B-indol acetic acid p r
litre, were suitable for this work, although the percentage
of success was lather low (Anon., 1940). Youngman (1923 )
records that experiments were conducted at Nagpur, involving the grafting of one type of cotton upon another.
It has been suggested that the boll shedding of cotton is a
phenomenon connected to some extent with a disturbance in the
process of pollen grain formation (Youngman, 1929).
Pande and Youngman, working at Nagpur, studied the development of fibre in cotton. They record the occurrence of multicellular fibre.
Lal (1937) doubts whether any character or characters
would safeguard cotton varieties against jassid under all
circumstances. He writes that the South African cotton U4,
though resistant to jassid attack in its native habitat, becomes susceptible when planted in the Punjab.

( 231
Observations on motes in cotton (Punjab Desi cottons) have
been made by Afzal (1937) . Balasubramaniam (1931) records
hat parthcnogene is and parthenocarpy occur in G. indieum.
IMPROVED VARIETIES OF COTtON
Centra) Province. and Berar

Verum 434.-11 is an early maturing variety, grown under the same soil and
climatic conditions asRoscum and Verum 2611, but is wilt-resistant and hardi r than 2611. It has got a stronger root system. Its lint is fine and silky.
Ginning p ercentage varies from 311 to 33 Length of the staple is 718"
to I " . It spins upto 30 counts. It obtains good premium over ROJeum
and Broach and yielcb 400 to 800 lbs of Kapas per aCre. It is appreciat~
by spinners in India aod has gained popularity with local dealers.
Verum 438. -lt is a wilt-resistant variety widl lint superior in quality. It is
earlier than V 434 and suitable for growing on lighter types of soib. Gin- '
ning percentage is about 32 and is sold at a premium, but yield is slightly
less than Gaorani cotton.
Verum 2611.- lt is a very early strain, grown both in light and heavy soil. Other
merits art: like those of Verum 434, ginning percentage being 32 to 33 and
staple length. 7/0". It spins upto 116 counts.
lioseum.- A hardy variety of cotton. grown on black cotton soils of C. P. and
Berar. A heavy yielder, but it is very susceptible to wilt. Ginning
percentage varies from 38 to 40 and Btaple length being 1/1 " to 5/8". It
is coarse. hence not much in demand by spinners.
Bun 107.- A long stapled variety which grows well in hilly tracts, 8taple
length being 1 t;" to I ". It spins above 40 Counts. It yields 300 to 700
lbs. per acre according to soil and climatic conditions.

~bay

Province

B. D. B.-This cotton is a selection from local Broach cotton. It is highly wiltresistant but is a low ginner.
A. L. F. I027.-ItisacrossbetweenGhogariandKumpta. It is shiny. white and
soft. It has b tteT staple but low ginning. It suffers from wilt.
Jarila.-It is a selection from Khandtsh ottOnS. Its staple is long. The lint is white. shiny and silky. It is highly wilt-resisting. The ginning is rather
low.
Jaywant.-This cotton is a cross betw en two pure selections from Kumpta.
It is rather late but has better staple. It is less hardy but resist" wilt.
It requires heavy soi!!.

( 232
Cede: No. I.-This is a selection from upl and American cotton. It grows well
on lightsoils. ItisirnmunetoRtd-leoj Blighldistase.

Institute of Plant IndUlltry, Indore.

C.tt,,, Malvi g.--Yields 20 per cent. more, gins 3 per cent. higher, has staple length
longer by 2 moo. and spins about 50 per cent. better than the local Malvi,
mixture from which it was selected.

United Provinces
Ferso-American (G. Ilirsulum ).
HUtory.-PersO-American, as the name indicates, is a selection from the American types importr.d from Persia by the Departrrl nt of Agricultur ,several
years ago, and acc limatised in U. P.
PI."t Charac/trs.-Plant about 65'2 inches higb, mainly monopodia) with a few
.ympodial branches. Lcavc~, broad 3-lobed with neclries on the three
midribs. Bolls large, round , smooth, measuring I' 5 inches to 3' 3 inches in
breadth . Bracteols gashed in to varying num ber of acumina tcd teeth, clo.ely investing th bud flower alld boll. It is charact rized by early maturity as compared to other ArneJ'ican types and byits higb yielding capacity.
When sown in the third week of May, itis ready for picking in the last week
ofSeptembcr, the pickings being Over by the middle of ovember.
S"il and RaiIYall.-It requires richer soil than the Desi cottons, and can be
cultivated on sandy loam t loam soils amenable to good drainage and
under irrigation in areas of d ficient rainfal l.
A rainfall of ' 5 to 25 inches, well distributed between June and September,
is sufficient for this cotton.

Commercial impor/ance.-Thecommercial importance of Perse-American can be

estimated by its comparison with the dui types, as tabulated below:PARTICULARS.
Yield ...
Ginning percentage
Staple length
Spinning value

PERSO-AMERICAN.
mds. 9 seers.
30 -33
0'85"--0'9 1"
28'30
10

DESI.
IJ mds. 30 seers
34-3 6 .
0'5"
S. W. Counts.

Cotton variety.-C. 520 (Gos.lpium arborium var. nfglecltlm formaB engalensis).

Hislqry : -This variety was extracted from the indjgen us cottons of Saharan-

pore in th year 19'24 by the Department of Agricultur , U. P.

1'1.,., Characlers.- Plant sympodial in habit and about 80 inches high. Leaves
narrow 3 to 5 lobed. Flowers white with red Ipot. Bolls slightly pitted

( 233

and tapering, l' 311 inches long and 1 inch broad. Locules 3, 'Opening widely
when ripe. Bracteoles, shorter than the bolls.
Oharacterized by early maturity, harclinc!s to withstand adverse
weather conditions and high yielding capacity. Wh en sown in the beginningorJunewith irrigation, it takes about
months to bolJopening,
the picking being Over by about the beginning of November.
Soil and raillfalt.-It can be cultivated on sandy loam to loam soils including
Parwa soils ofBundelkhand, amenable to good drainage.
A rainfall of about20to 30 inches well distributed between Juneand
September is sufficient for this cotton.
Commer~ial importance.-The commercial importance of C. 520 can be estimated
by its cOCJlparison with the local desi type, as given below:-

Sf

C. 520

PARTICULARS
Yield of seed cotton
Ginning percentage
Lint length
Lint colour
Spinning value
Premium over desi

DESI.

(l rods. go srs.
34-3 6
37-3 8
072"-078"
0.5"-0.63"
Fully white
Creamish white
6-8 counts.
10-12 counts
-/4/ - pel' maund of
seed cotton.

9 mds. 30 srs.

Baroda State
IO!Ol7 A. L. F.
B. D. B.-lt is brought frcm tbc Broach Research Slation.
Wagad 8.-A close boll cotton of the Mehsana District. It is a continued
selection from Wagad 8 produced at Viramgams, yielding 10% and ginning 5 % more over the 10 al.
Cawnpore 520.- Introduced into Kathiawar. Generally popular, yield and
ginning percentage higher, staple fair. Early maturing type.
LesHheddingofbolls. Higher ginning (S4'1 %)Local=s -32%). Higber
yielder, 10 to 40 lbs. more pt'1' acre
Broach g.-High yielder, long and fine staple.

Puo.Jab
12 Sanguineum.

G. arboreum Val'. sangu;Ilt4 FonnaBeligalensis H . and G.

This is a selection from Mullani Cotton. The plant bas broad leaves, pink,
flowers and an Lbocyanin (Jjght cbo olate) pigment in all parts oftbeplant.
The size of the boll is small and late in mnturmg.
Ilis very high yieldjng
strain and is very populal'with tbe Zamindars of Rawalpindi and adjoining
diltricts as a rain fed crop. The best time ofsowini this cotton illR.awal-

( 234

pindi is from 15th March to r5th May. The seed rate should be 5 seers
per acre and should be sown in lines to
feet apart.
Ginning outturn, 33%.
Length orlint, 0'75 inch.
Highest standard warp CO'Unts, 12 S.
60AI MollisOni. G. arboreum Var. Negleclum Forma Bengalensis H. and G.
Thi.~ variety was selected from the local mixtulc of arboreum cotLon at the Experimental Farm, Hansi. The plant is tall growing with broad leaves and
white flowers. It is very high yielding variety in the districts of the South
Eastern Punjab. It is now being slowly replaced by other Mollisoni types.
Its ginning outturn is very high (38-39%) and always sells at a premium
of - /4/- per mauod over local mixture. This cotton is sown from 15th
March to tbe middle of May and the: first pricking is ready by the middle
of September. Six seers of seeds pcr acre should be used for sowing in
li.oes :I to 2 fee t apart.
Length of lint, 0' 66 inch .
Highest standard warp counts, 4Js.
119 Sanguineum, G. arboreum Var. Sanguinea Forma Btngalensis H. and G.
This strain is a very recent selcction frorn M:ultani Cotton at the Cotton Research
Sub-station, Multan. The plant ha~ broad leaves, pink flowers and anthocyani.o (light chocolate) pigment in all parts, and it is thickly covered
with hairs. Bolls arc small in size, deeply pitted and have 3 to 4 10culL
The see:ls arc small and downy and are grey in colour with greenish tinge.
A special feature of dlis strain is that it can be grown on poor soil ~ith
remunerative yields and has potentiality of reacting towards soil fertility
in a marked way. This strain is most suited to the arid region of SOUUl
Western Punjab, viz., Mullan, Muzaffargarh and Deraghazi Khan
districts and can withs tand the extremely hot and dry conditions of this
tract. It is very early maturing variety of cotton and the first picking is,
therefore, ready by second week of September. The crop is finished by
the last week of November. The best time of sowing of this cotton is the
month of June and on good land it can be sown late. Seed rate should
be 5 seers per acre and it should be sown in lines to
fcet apart.
Ginning outtorn, 35-36 per cent.
Length of lint, 0'66 inch.
Higbest standard warp counts, 8'.
39. Mollisoru. G.arboreumVar.Negleclum Watt. Forma BengalensisH. and G.
It is a selection from the local arboreum (desi) cotton. The plant is
tall growing with broad leave and white flowers and gives the best
yield amongst all dui cottons in the canal colonies. The high yielding quality is combined with high ginning outturn (35-36 p. c.) in
this variety and th.erefore it has become very popular with the

2 2t

II 2t

235
zammdars. The best time of sowing under normal conditions is from the
middle of May to middle of June. To get good stand of the crop the seed
rate should be five seers per acre. I t should be sown in lines to
feet
apart.
Length of lint, 0'7' inch.
Highest standard warp counts, 8s.
289 F IK 25. G. Itirsutum (Chitta Narma).
It is a long stapled , high yielding variety of American Cotton, volved by the
British Cotton growing Association (Punjab), Khanewal. The
plant is erect growing. The stem and leaves afC only moderately hairy.
The bolls arc big and the seeds white fuzzy, hence the name .. Chitta
Narma" . It was first distributed as a commercial crop in -932 and its
cultivation is restricted to the Lower Bari Doab Canal Colony. In other
tracts it is liable to the attack ofJassids (Empoasca dtllastuns). On aCCOunt of
high ginning outlurn the "Kapas" fetches a premium of about As. -/12 {per maund over 4F in the market. It gives its first picking during the
4th week of October. The best time of sowing this variety in the lower
Bari Doah Canal Colony is the month of June. Ten seers of seeds are
used per acre to get the best stand of the crop .
. Ginning ouUum, 33-34 per cent.
Average length of lint, 0.95 inch.
Highest standard warp counts 405 .

2 2t

28 F 143. G. hirsutum L. (Chitta Narma).

Thi, is a long stapled, high yielding and early maturing variety of Punjab
American Cotton. The plant is erect growing, and the stem and leaves
are profusely hairy. It is resistant to the attack ofJassids (Empoasca deua.l'tullS). The bolls are big and the seed white fuzzy and hence the name
" Chitta Narma". It was first uistributed for general cultivation in 1934.
It is drought resistant and is usually grown in parts of Lower Bari Doab
caual colony and outh Western Punjab. It gives its first picking during
second week of October and being early maturing variety it does not
require irrigation rutcr 20th October. On the average, it yields about
haifa maund of"Kapas" more per acre than 4F. Th~ quality of lint is
superior. The best time of sowing under normal conditions is from the
middle of May to June. To get the best stand of the crop 10 seers of
seeds should be Sown per acre in lines at 3 feet apart.
Ginning outturn, 129 per cent.
Length of lint, 0'96 inch.
Highest standard warp counts, 4:os.

L.S.S. G. Itirsutum L.
This is a selection from 4F. The plant is tall and stout. The Item and leaves

( 236 )
are hairy and resistant to the attack of Jassids (Emp{)QscQ dillaslvns). The
bolls are medium in size and t.he seeds are semi-naked with whitish fuzz.
It yields higher than and the kapas usually sells at a premium of
As. -/8 ,t- per maund over . The first picking is ready towards the end
of November. Being late in maturing it require$ one or two additional
irrigations in October and November. The lint is longer and finer than
4F and, therefore, it fetches more price in the market. The best time of
sowing this cotton is from the middle of May to middle ofJune. A seed
rate of 7 seers per acre is recommended.
Ginning outturn, 3 1 -3 2 per cent.
'J
Length of lint, 0'9 1 inch.
..
_ J -J . ~
Highest standard warp counts, 4 0 .
~~ ~U
4F. G. hirsulum L. (KALA NARMA).
~..J__
This is a selecti(ln from the Punja b-American COllon.
Th~ plant is
stout and bushy. The leaves, stem and branches arc bairy and
resistant to the attack of Jassids (Em/Joasca dtIJQsluns ). The bolls
are medium in size and the seeds are generally black or greenish
in colour and hence tbe nam e "Kala Narma". It was first djstributed
for general cultivation in 191 4 and even upto present, it is the
most important variety of American Cotton in the Punjab, but it is
being steadily r eplaced by the improved strairu, ~uitcd to the diff.
erenl tracts. It gives its first picking during the 4th week of OCtober. It is medium stapled and usually sells at a premium on
"Broach". The best time of sowing under normal conditions is
[rom the middle of May to the middle of June. In years of
drought, late sown fields give better yield and suffer less from
"Tirak" lhan the early sown. To get the best stand of the crop 7
seetS of se ds are used per acre.
Ginning outturn, 32 per cent.
Length oflint, o 78 inch.
Highest standard warp Counts, 20S to !;I5s.

~ b~

CfiTY"-~~

..:a

Madra. Provinc:e.
Co.2.-Cosmopolitan type, vigorous growing
typ::.
Botanical name
L int length
Ginning percentage
92o.-More prolifiC than Co. 2 but lhlt coarser.
B tanical name
Lint length
Ginning percentage

and

drought

G. hirsutwn.
26 mIn
34
G. hirsulum.
25 mm.

34-

re,i.tant

( 237

X 3915.-EarHer strain. Capable of spinning upto 50'S. Suited to the sowing

in summer.
Botanical name
G. hirsutum.
Lint length
28 mm.
37.
Ginning percentage
X 4383.- Earlier in duration, capable of spinning upto 44'S, suitable for summer sowings.
Botanical name
G. hirsutum.
Lint length
'29 mm.
Ginning percentage
32.
K. I.-Early, drought resistant, does not shed Howers during February rains.
Higher ginnt=r and more prolific than Tinnies.
Botanical name
G. arhoreum Var. negltetum
forma
indica.
Lint length
23 mm.
Ginning percentage
32.
N. 14.-Very fine fibres, capable of spinning upto 40's. Under distribution in
Northern tracta.
G. arboreum var. negBotanical name
lee/um forma indica.
26 mm.
Lint length
'25'
Ginning percentage
H. I.- Higher ginner and spinner than the ordinary westerns.
G. h"boceum Var. fruBotanical name
/esCtTlS.

Lint length
24 mm.
Ginning percentage
30 .
X 2o.-Higher spinner than the commercial cocanadas.
Botanical name
G. arboreum Var negl~Glum forma indica.
Lint length
24 mm.
Ginning percentage
26.
N. 23.-N. 23 gives an aere yield of 243 lbs. of kapas or 68 Ibs. lint per acre.
Theginning percentage is 28 and the staple length is 089 inches. Highest
standard warp counts to which it can be woven i 37'S.
171.-A pure line selection with better economic characters like longer staple,
higher ginning and spinning qualities and uniform lint colour.
-

Sbld
SitU! Swilutr 29B-F. r .-High yielding Sind American type especially suitable
for Indus Left .8ank atelU, sins upto 30% Staple length is I" to 11/1"

238

and spins upto 40'S. It is highly popular with the cultivator and the trade.
It is very hardy and resists jassid and Red-leaf Blight attack and is free
from bad opening of bolls. The plant is tall and bushy. Vegetative
branches arise at an acute angle and ascend upwards reaching the heigbt
of the main stem and giving tne plant a domed shape. The leaf is
large, de~p green, thi~ and r..alUM, tn:oad. lobed, with... & prominent
red pulv'
.pot...
boll is medium-sized, round or gk>
shape and abruptly pointed forming a prominent beak. Opoing is good and cotton is held firmly and can stand d layed picking. The
seed is big and fuzzy. The fuzz is white with slight greenish tinge.
Sind N . .n. (27 W . N.l . -Improved strain of Sind Desi cotton, well known
for high yield. Bright colour and rough feel. Largely used for
mixing wool. Can be grown on all kinds of soils and can stand
late sowing. Very hardy crop- ginning upto 38%. The staple is
extrem.ely short 3/8"-1/2" and spinning up to 6's counts.
The plant is taU and erect with rather monopodial habit.
The leaf is small to medium with long and narrow lobes.
The
flower is small and white with deep red petal spot. The boll is
medium in size, and light green in colour, conical and with rough
pitted surface. Opening is good. Cotton picking is easy. In
fact, if unpicked, it falls down soon. Lint is very rough, bright
white, and thick on the seed. The seed is small with hard seedcoat. This variety is very hardy and is least susceptible to whiteant, jassids and red leaf.

Sind American 4-F-g8.- High yielding Sind-American type. Resists Jassid

and Red-leaf blight attack. Specially suitable for Indus Right
Bank areas. Staple length 7/8" to 15/16", gins upto 33%; spins
upto 34 counts.
The plant is bushy with vegetative branches, arising horizontally with a downward curve and the fruiting branch s at right
angle to the main stem, giving a diamond shape to the plant. The
entire plant including leaves is very hairy. The leaf is medium
in size, thin and papery, light green in colour, rather broad-lobed
with faint sulvinous spot. The boll is medium-sized and conical
in sbape. The seed is medium-sized with greenish to whitish fuzz
Lint is silky and white.
It is fairly resistant to jassid attack and red leaf disease.

Sind sea islolld.-High quality and long-stapled, possessing silky fibre.

Staple length IS /8"-1 1"". Spins upto 80'S counts. Ginning outturn 30%. Requires better and careful cultivation.
white-ant trouble. Late maturing but hardier.

Susceptible to

( 239
Sind Bose II/.- The plant is tall, creCt and bushy at the base. Thc vegetative branches arc thick, smooth and crowded at the base. The
plant is monopodial in habit. Fruiting branches arc long, thick and
many noded. The plant is completely glabrous.
The leaf is
very big, thick, dark-green, broad lobed and glabrous. Red pulvinous spot is absent. Lobes are long broad and pointed. The boll
is medi um-sized, with black dots on its surface, dark-green with
waxy appearance. The seed is big. heavy dark, naked and generally partially fuzzy, the fuzz being dull white c.:>loured and spread
over half the base.
Hyderabad State
Cotlon GoaTalii No. 6.-It is a selection from the local Goarani cotto (06 rypimn
indicllm). Its staple is fit for spinnbg 30-40's warp 0 nU. t ginning
outtum is 30 percent.
Cotton GoaTani No. 12 F.-It is a selection. from the local Goarani cotton
(G. indicum). Its staple is fit (or .pinning 26's warp counts. Its
ginning outturn i.~ 33 per cent.
Cotton PaTb/tani-American No. I.-It is a selection from the local mixed American
colton (G. hirsulllln) . It is fit for spinning 30'S warp counts. Its ginning
oulturn it 33 per cen t.

MrSORE STATE, SONNOHOTTI-ASIATIC COTTON.

Lolal Sannahatti:- Admixture of three specie., v~ . G. herbaceum, black seeds
or G. H. melallosperma and Nadam of Mysore Sa/lnahatti. Staples
length, 18 to 21 mm. Ginning % 24. Farm yield,200 Ills. average
per acre.
Set. 6g.-A unit species (improved strain) isolated from Kumpta (G.
herbaceum). Staple length, 18 to 21 moo. Ginning % Q6. Farm yield,
1250 to 350 Ibs. per acre.
H. Igo. -A hybrid obtained as a result of a cross made between G.
herhaceum and G. arhoTeum. Staple length, 21 m. to 1 inch Ginning%,
30. Farm yield, 250 to 350 Ibs. per acre.
Strain Igg.-Straio Ig X C. N. 86. Ginning %, 25.7.
Farm yield, 250 lbs. per aCre.
Strain 1260-61.- Strain 6g-70 X C. N. 86 . Ginnulg %, 25.5. Farm yield,
250 lbs per acre.
C. N. 86.-A hybrid obtained as a result of a cross made betweenNadam
and Cernum (Garohill). Staple length 7/ 8 inch, Ginlling %, 37.
Farm yield 350 Ibs. pel' acre.
C. N. 4-5-A hybrid obtained as a result of a cross made bet""een Nadam
and Cetnum (Garohill). Staple length 7/8 inch, Ginning %, 37. Farm
yield, 400 Ibs. per acre.

( 240 )
Anlerican Cotton .

ucal Doddahatti.-Dharwar American with white to light green leeds

grown around Banawar area. Staple length, 8/, to 7/. inch. Ginning % 28 to 30. Farm yield, 300-350 lbs. per acre rainfed. 4600 Ibs. irrigated.
M. A., ll.-A cross between Dharwar American and Tree cotton answering
to G. psruvianum pure strain. Staple length, 3/, to 7/ 9 inch, I"
in selection. Ginning % 30 to 31. Farm yield 400-500 lbs. (rainfed.). goo-Iooo Ibs. (irrigated).
M. A. IV-A crosS between Dharwar American and Tree cotton answering
to G.psruvianum pure strain. Staple length, 7/8 to, 15/16 inch and
ginning %, 32. Farm yield, 600-800 Ibs. (irrigated).
N.B.-Under irrigated conditions a good cotton can be grown when sown
between February and July and the best crop obtained when a.own
in tbe middle of March.

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Mohammad Afta! (1936). A 1I0te on the hairiness of cotton. Indian). aerie.
Sci., 6 : 8123-827.
Mu nd ku r, B. B. (1936). Resistance of American cottons to FlJSarium Wilt in
India. Proc.[ntlian Acad. Sci., 3-D : 498-51.
P.nde, S. S. (1936) . AntUlal Rtp. Dep. (,gric. Central Provillces and Berar, Seetio"
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Panse, V .G. and Patel, A.F.(1!)37). Ageneticalstudyofroots in relation to
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Patel, M. L . (1923). Studies in Gujarat cottons, II. Mem . Dep. Agric. India
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patel, M. L . and Mankad, D. P. ( 1925)'
ludies in Gujaral cottons, III.
The wagad cotton of Upper Gujarat, Kathiawad and Kutch. Mem. Dep.
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Pa tel, M . L . and Patd, S. J. (1925)' Studies in Gujarat cottons, I V . Hybrid.
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Dtp. Agric. India (Bot. Str.), 14 : 131-176.
Patel, . J. (1933)' T h FI g Deration of a hybrid between an American and
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Prayag, S. H . (1927). An improved type ofcouon for Khandesh . Proc. 14th

Indian Sci. congress (bot.), 224.
Prayag, S. H. (1928). Studies in K h andesb cot ttm, 1. Mem, Dep. Agric. Indio
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RAmaQathan, V . (1932). ludies on cotton ovules with reference to their pCllli.
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~amanathan, V. and AyyangllT, S. (1 930) . A study of the ordct. oC enlr)< Q
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( 245

Il.amiah, K. and N ath, B. (1946). The irlheri tance of seed fuzz in up-land cottot!
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Rangaua tha Rao, V. N. (193 7). Myscrc cottons and their improvemen t,
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1,,,-,..:

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17.
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( 246

somes of some wild and cultivated species of Gossypium. Indian J. Gene!.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
Bengal, (1904-195). Leaflets on cotton.
Bengal, (1906-7) . A short note on otton for the use of cultjvators.
J!mgal, (1907-0). Short instructions for the improvement of cotton by plant
to plant selection.

( 247
Bombay, (1909). Cultivation of Broach cotton in Dharwar-by M. 1.
Kulkarni.
Bombay, (1911). Seed selection series, I-Broach cotton.
Bombay, (1915)' Improvement of cotton in the Bombay Presidency (except
Sind).
Bombay, (1917). Seed selection series-Kumpta cotton.
Bombay, (1919). Cultivation of CambocJia cotIOn as Mungar etc.
Bombay, (1920). Dharwar American Cotton. Its ill.tory, cultivation and
improvement.
Bombay, (1920). Cultivation:of Upland (Gadag No. I) Calton in SouthernMaralha Country.
Bombay, (1926). Cotton cultivation in Sind.
Bombay, (1926) . Preliminary instructions on cultivation of Lotton on the
Deccan Canals.
Bombay, ( 1926-27). Studies in Gujaral cotton, Part IV. Hybrids between
Broach-des; and Goghari varieties of Gos.ryJ;ium /tcrbactltm (Botanical series)
-by M. L. Patel and S. J. Patel.
Bombay, (1926-27). Studies in Khandesh cotton, Part I (Botanical series),-by
S. H. Prayag.
Bombay, (1927). Collon as a rotation crop in the Gokak Canal area.
Bombay, (1930). Important hints to growers of Banilla cotlon.
Bombay, (1932). Manures for the otton crops in Khandesh.
Indore, Central India. Improvemen t of collon in Central India and tbe evolution of Malvi 9.

Indore, Central Irulia. Cultivation of cotton in Gang Canal Colony.

Madras, (1911-12). Cambodia cotton.
,Madras, (19xr-12). The importance of sowing pure seed of C'llnbcdia cotton.
Madras, (1911-12). Colton.
Madras, (1928-29), Nott to assist identification of karu'lglln7li and uppam cottons.
Madras, (1931, 1931-32). Pure cotton- by Ramayya.
Madras, (1931-32). Hand-bill on coltOn.
Madras, (1932; 1932-33). Early sowings of Camboclia cotlon-by V. Ram.natha Ayyar.
Madras, (1934; 1934-35)' Cambodia cotton as a rain-fed crop in heavy black
cotton soils-by P . Gopalaratnam.
Madras, (1935)' Cotton- by A. C. Edmonds.
Sind, (1932-33). Green manuring oreotton withjuar.
Sind, (1933-34). Cotton cultivation in the Indus Right Bank areas.
Sind, ('933-34). The sowing of tJle cotton crop by the drill method.
Silld, (1935-36) . Improved varieti S of cotton for Sind and their ulrivation.

( 248 )
United Provinces. The cultivation oflo~g staple cotton at ilie Cawnpore &PQd.
mental Station-by Subbiah.
United Provinces, (19:26) . Present position of cotton and the unirrigated trac~
of United Provinces-by Rama Prasad.
United Provinces, (1927). Maintenance of purity of the improved cottonsby Rama Prasad.
United Provinces, (1929). Introduction of long staple cotton in the United Provinces etc., (Bull. No. 49)-by Rama Prasad.
United Provinces, (1931). C. 402. Anew variety of long staple cotton in the United ProvincC$ of Agra and Oudh-(Bull. No. 56)-by Raroa Prasad.
United Provinces. Cultivation of C. 402 cotton.
United Provinces. Cultivation of cotton No. 5110.
United Provinces. Cotton ofBundelkhand .

JUTE
Corchorus olilorius Linn. and C. capsularis Linn. Tiliaceae.
The spread of jute cultivation during the last century has
'been one of the most striking developments in Indian Agriculture. Finlow (1921) records historical notes on experiments
with jute in Bengal.
Two species, vi~., C. olitorius Linn. and C. Capsularis Linn.,
have been recognised. Three improved types are in existence,
isolated from Kakya Bombai (a race from Patna District), vit.,
KakyaBombai No.7, R. 85 and D.154, the two latter being considered to be better and more resistant to chlorosis than Kakya Bombai
No.7. From the local mixture, a variety known as chinsurah green,
has also been evolved (Burkill and Finlow, 1911 ; Howard, 1924).
Crossing technique in the cultivated and some of the wild
species of Oorchorus have been described by Ghose and Das Gupta
(1944). In a cross between green jute and red jute, the latter acts as
asimple dominant (Finlow and Burkill, 1911). Genetics of an thocyan in pigmentation has been dealt with by Patel I Ohose and Das
Gupta (1944) who reported the presence of three ~nthocyanin
genes, C, A and R. Cross s b tween chlorotic a.nd nonchlorotic plants showed segregation, but the mode of inheritance did not appear to be mendelian and showed several
obscure features (Anon., 1922-23). Monogenic inheritance haa

PL/\TE XII

Illustrating .tipule character in jute.

a. foliaceous; b. normal; c, F1
By KitC(l fIlUrl'~ of 11r, Ittdilm SiI~ of Gmlties & Pla"t BrHdi",
(Patel, Gboee and Sanyal, 1944-).

( :249

been established py Patel, Ghose and Sanyal (1944) for the

following characters in the jute plant :

(a) yellow-Pale carolla colour (Py-py) in C. capsularis.

feb) Branched-non.lbranched habit (Br-br) in C. capsulariu.
(c) Normal-foliac ous stipules (8 fl-. fl) in C. capsularis. (Plate XII) .
(d) Dull black-leek green seed coat colour (Gr-gr) in
C. oiitorius.
These authors did not observe linkage between Py and C , A
or R , between Br and C or R and between Gr and the olitorius
anthocyanin gene.
Finlow (1921) mentions that it is difficult to bring about a
cross b tween Corchorus capsularis and Corchorus olitorius. Although
seeds may be obtained occasionally, they do not germinate.
This has also been confirmed by Howard (1924).
Burkill (1906) records observations on the pollination in
Corc/zorus capsularis and C. olitorius. Finlow and Burkill (1911)
n;l.ention that chance crossing in Corchorus capsularis is not lik ly
to exceed 2%. Howard, Howard and Khan (1918) record
natura} crossing in Corchorus capsularis to be 17 per cent., whereas
its complete absence in Corcllorus olitorius. According to Ghose
and Oas Gupta (1944) the extent of natural crossing is consjderable in C. olitorius while it is less, but higher than 2 per cent.
in C. capsularis.
Chromosome numbers at meiosis in the following species
and varieties of jute were determined by Banerji, (1932 a):(n).
1. Corchorus olilorius L.(a) R.26
7
(b) Chinsurah Green
7
2. Corchorus capsularis L.(a) D. 154
7
(b) R.85
7
(c) D.27
7

( 250 )
(d) D. 89
7
3. Corcltorus acutangulus Lam.
7
(wild form).
No cytological irregulari ty was observed in any of the varieties.
Type D. 89 (obtained from a cross between D. 154 and Japanese
variety) showed complete regular pairing between the parental
chromosomes at meiosis Nandi (1938,40) records a trisomic
mutant.
The development of the embryo-sac and fertilization in
jute were investigated by Banerji ( 1932 b). H observed normal
reduction division in the megaspore mother cell, resulting in
a normal linear tetrad. The chalazal megaspore functions,
producing an eight-nucleate embyro-sac. The pollen g rminates on the stigma within thirty minutes and fertilization
takes place in six hours after pollination. The full process of
fertilization is completed within six days after pollination, and
the egg rests for a short time, before it begins to divide.
No polyembryony was observed.
Banerji (1933) studied the floral development and meiosis in
Corclwrus olitorius and reports that the floral development is centri":
petal, sequence being sepals, petals, stamens and pistil. Floral
biology and anthesis have been described by Ghose and Das
Gupta (1944).
Popular leaf-lets and bulletins have been published by the
department of agriculture, Bengal, commencing from 1906-7.
The publications of the Indian Central Jute Committee also
contain valuable literature on the genetics of jute.
BmLIOGRAPHY.

Anonymous, (1922-23). Annual Rep. Dep. agric. Bengal, 1922-23 : 3 (Appendix I).
Banerji, I. (1932 a). Chromosome numbers of Iodian crop plants. (a) Chromosome numbers in jute. J. Indian bot. Soc., IX : 82-85'
Danerji, 1. ( 19311 b). The development of the embryo-sac and fertilization in
jute. J. India" bol. Soc., II : 1128-1140'
Banerji, I. (1933). The development of flower and pollen in jute. IndiaTl
J. agric. Sci., 3 : 116-1 26 .

( 251

BurlUll, I. H. ('906). Notes on the pollination of flowers in India, the pollination of Corehorus in BengaJ and Assam. J. and Proc.Asiatic Soc. (,uwser.),
Bengal, 2 : 5'5-520.
Burkill, I. H . and Finlow, R. S. ('911). Corchoruscapsularis Var. oocarpus-a
new variety of the common jute plant. J . and Proe. Asiatic Soc. (new seT.),
Beng I, 7 : 465-466.
Finlow, R. S. (1921). Historical notco:s on experiments with j ut e in Bengal.
Agric. J. India, 16 : 265-279.
Finlow, R . S. and Burkill, I. H . (1911 ). The inheritance of red olour and the
regularity of self-fertilization in COTchorus capsularis Linn., the common jute
plant. Mem . Dep. ACric. India (Bot Ser. ), 4 : 74-92.
Ghose, R. L. M. and Das Gupta, B. (1944). Floral Biology, Anthesis and
Natural crossing in jute. Indian J. Genet. and Pl. Breed., 4 : 80-84.
Howard, A. (1924), Crop production in India. Oxford Universi!y Press : 138.
Howard . A., Howard, G. L. C . and Khan, A. R. (1918). tudicsin the pollination of Indian crops-I. Mem. Dep. AgNe. India (Bot. Ser.), 10 : 198-:H9.
Nandi, H . K. (1938). Proc. 23rd iridian Sci. Congress (Silver Jubilee).
Nandi, H. K. ( '940). Cytologic;al studies On jute. Proc. 25th Indian Sci.
Congress (hot.), 142 .
PateJ,J.S., Ghose,R.L.M. and Das Gupta, B. (J944)' Genetics of (Corckorus ) Jute, Part II . Inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation . Agrie.
Res. Memoir No. 3 Indian Central Jute Committee, Cal t1tla.
Patel,J. S., Ghosc,R. L. M. and Sanyal, A. T. (1944) The Genetics of Corchorus (Jute). Part III. The inheritance of corolla colour, brancning
habit, stipule character and Reed coat alotlr. Indian J. Genet. and Pl.
Breed., t : 75-79

SUNN-HEMP

Leguminosae.
C. juncea Linn.
Crotalaria.
Crotalaria includ s about 350 species, spread over the warmer
parts of the world. Crotalaria juncea which is the source of the
aunn-hemp of commerce is a widely distributed bast-fibre
yielding crop. It is also cultivated for green manuring. It
is known by various names: SaTI (Central Provinces), Sanai
(United Provinces), Sini (Sind) and Tag (Bombay).
There are several local varieties being cultivated in different
tracts e.g., C 12 in the United Provinces and B.E. I. in Bihar.
Howard and Howard (1910), however. describe only two principal

I( ~52

types-which are chimIy grown in this country. Useful work has

'been carried out-at Nagpur by the department of agriculture under
a scheme subsidized by the Imperial Council of Agricultural
Research.in recent years. Being a cross-fertilized crop, it has been
found difficult to maintain purity of varieties. Breeding work
in this crop is also difficult to carry out, in view of the fact that
seed setting, und r selfing paper and cloth bags, is considerably
reduced.
Chromosomes in C. juncea were examined by Ramanujam,
Parthasarathy and Ramiah (1933) and Sundar Rao (1943) who
report n=8 and by Dutta (1933), n = 10. In other sped s of the
genus the chromosome numbers ob erved in this country are
shown below:C. vcrrucosa
C. retusa

C. laburnifolia
C. intermedia
C. striata
C. mysorensis
C. medicaginea

C. Trifoliastrum
C. orixensis
C. quinquifolia
C. sericeo

n=8
Ramanujam,
Parthan =8 ~sarathyandRamiah, (1933);
n =8 j Sundar Rao (1943).
n=8 }
2n== 16 (Anon., 1937).
n =8 "1
n=8 I
n=8 I
2n=16 I Sundar Rao (1943).
(Plate )(111)
n=8 I

2n=16

n=8

n=B 1

Detailed microsporogenesis in this species was studied by

Banerji and Sama! (1936). They observed eight bivalents at
diakinesis and I-metapllase.
The development of the embryo-sac and embryo was studied.
by Samal (1936) who obs rved the megaspore mother cell to
undergo normal reduction divhion, fonning an oblique Tshaped tetrad of megaspores, the chalazal one being functional.
The causes of sterility are the failure of pollen tube growth and

PI.."TE Xlll

...

.~
4

,) 9
Fig. 1"4 : Somatic melaphases showing 16 chromosomes in each:
(I) CrntlllllTia juntta (2) C. laburni/o/ia (3) C. milCm.q.\
(.4-) C. ""dieaxinta.
Fig. 5-8 : Metaphase I in pollen mother cells, showing 8
bivalents:
(~)
C. "tUSII
(6)
C.
quillt/ll(oli(1
(7) C. juntea (8) C. sm.ta.
Fig. 9 : Metapha~e 11, showing 8
('hromosome~
ill
C. ""diellg iN!a
By kind eoll1'IIV qf the India,. Sorit()' oj Gefllti&S (JI Plant Br"dirlfl
(Sundar Rao, 1M3) .

_.-_- ..

253

the occasional degeneration of the functional megaspore. Phases

of flower d velopment in sunn-hemp have b en studied by some
workers (Shrivastava, 1938; Anon., 1 40).
Howard, Howard and Khan (1918), recording observations
on the pollination of this crop, conclude that autogamy does not
occur unl ss the stigmatic surfac is frrst stimulated, but stimula~
tion does not appear necessary for cross-pollination. No setting,
therefore, takes place if the flowers ar protected. Extensive
natural crossing has be n noticed. Singh (1934) suggests that
the introduction of pollinating insects within the s lfing bags
would be useful.
Shrivastava (1938) found that eed setting by artificial means
can be increased, if the stigma is rubbed with a camel's hair brush
before pollination. It can be furth r increased, jf a drop
of glucose solution (0'5 per cent.) is applied to the stigma
after rubbing it.
Experim nts on the germ ination of pollen grains under artifi
cial conditions showed that "within 2 hours the pollen tubes, in 5
percent. sugar solution, germinate and grow to a length of nearly
twice the breadth of the pollen grain, while in 15 percent. sugar
solution the pollen tubes are nearly three times the length of the
same, under 5 percent solution. Furth r the germ cell also
descends into the pollen tub sunder 15 percent solution. The
division of the antheridium into sperm nuclei takes place within
hours, while oth r interm diary stages ar observed in pollen
tubes under 5 percent. sugar solution. Again two or three small
pollen tubes are noticed in a few cases under 15 percent. sugar
solution. Under distilled water there are very ~ w germinated
pollen grains and about 90 percent. of pollen grains simply show
erruptions of intine" (Anon., 1940).

61

Interspecific crosses b tween C. juncea and C. retl4sa have

been made with a view to transfi r the pod setting character
of the latter to the former (Bhatia, 1939).
The occurrence of phy}loid flowers in sunn-hemp, in which
the transformation of some or all floral whorls into greenish leaf.

254 )

like structures takes place, has been recorded by Bose and Misra
(1938). Twe1v
abnormal types have been recognised. Its
occurrence is attributed to a virus.
Root-syste:n in sunn-hemp was investigated by Bose, Aziz and
Bhatnagar (1936) who distinguished two definite types, viz.,
mesophytic and xerophytic, which have also been further divided
chiefly on t~e average depth of the tap-roots.
The cultivation ofsunn-hemp has been described by Nambiar
(1924) and reference to the same subject has been made in leaflets and bulletins, published by agricultural departments of Bombay, United Provinces and Bihar.

BIBUOGRAPHY .
Anonymous, (1937). AnnuaL Rep. Dep. agrie. Bengal, I936-:n .
Anol!JImnus, (1940) ' AlmuaL Rep. Dep. agric. Btl/gaL, 1938-39, 128-129.
Banerji, I. and Sarnal, K. K. (1936). Micro3porogencsis in, Crotalaria june,a
Linn. IndianJ. agric. Sci., 6 : II6-126.
Bhatia, G. S. (1939) . Annual Rep. Second Economic Botani.ft, Dep. agrie. Central
Provinces and Berar, J938-39'
Bose, R . D. and Misra, S. D. (1938). Studies in Indian fibre plants No.6,
Phyllody and some otber abnormalities in the flowcrs of sun n-hemp.
Indian J. agric. Sci., 8 : 4 1 7-42 3.
Bose, R . D., Aziz, M. A. and Bbatnagar, M. P. (1936). Studies in Indian
fibre plants NO.4. The root-system of Sunn-hemp (Crotalariajuncea L.).
ltldian J. agrie. Sci., 6: 35 1 -3 60 .
Dutta, R. M. (1933). The chromosome number of CrotaLaria juneea L. Curro
Sci., lIi : 67.
Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1910). Mem. Dep. Agric. India (BOI.
SeT.), 3.
Howard, A., Howard, G. L. C . and Khan, A. R. (1918). Studies in the pollination oflndian crops, I. Mem. Dep. Aerie. India (Bol. S".), IO : 198-:U9
Nambiar, K. (1924). Sunn-hemp (Crotalariajuncea) cultivation at Nileshwar.
Madras agrie. J ., Illi : 4 13-414.
R amanujam, S., Parthasarathy, N. and Ramiah, K. (1933) Ch~omosome
studies in some species of Crotalaria. Proc. lIioth Indian Sci. Congress
(agrie),53
Singh,T. C. N. ( 1934). An efficient method of selfing crop-pianu. Prot.
III.' Indian Sci" Congms (agrk.), 80.

255

Shrivastava, K. P. (1938). Anrlual Rep . Second Economic Botanist DfP . agric.

Central Provinces and Berar, 1937-38.
Sarna I, K. K. (1936). The development of the embryo-sac and embryo
in Crotalaria juncea L. J. Indian bot. Soc., 15 : 19-31.
Sundar R ao, Y. (1943). Some chromosome llumb ... n in the Genus Crotalaria. bzdi(m J. Genet. and Pl. Brud., 3 : 64-66.

HIBISCUS

Hibiscus.
Hibiscus sJIP.
Malvaceae.
Two sp cies, viz., H. sabdariffa L. and H. cannabinus L.,
are grown in India chiefly for fibre purposes.
Hibi.rcus cannabimts is widely cultivated as a fibr crop, chiefly
for local consumption. It is known locally by a number of vernacular names; ambari, puiu, mesta, pat, dare-kudrum, patsan, sheria,
gogu, pundi, sujjado and sankukra.. Howard and Howard (1911)
described eight types of this species. Two varieties with entire
and divided leaves have been recorded by Dastur (1925)
and a red-entire-l afed form has been observed by Barber
(1912). Botanically it has been described by Chandrasekharan
and Ramakrishnan (1929).
Hibiscus sabdariffa is grown for a number of purposes.
Every part of the plant is utilized, e.g., the stem yields a
strong silky fibre "Rozelle H mp"; fleshy calyces for jellies,
chaeniss, etc., seeds for m dicine, leaves for salads and curries
and petals may yield yellow dye. It is known by a number
of vernacular names, vit., mesta, patwa, lal ambari, kempu.
Howard and Howard (1911) mention four varieties of this
species. Botanically it has been described by Chandrasekharan and Ramakrishnan (1929). Khan (1930) records a new
type of Hibiscus sabdariffa which grows to a considerable
height with almost unbranched stem. At Guntur this
varjety proved supedor in yield, tallness, colour, lusture and
strength of fibre to the local and other types in that locality (Anon., 1940).
Deshpande (1938) studied the genetics of H. sahdariffa,
involving three varieties, vi~., altissiwa, albus and ruber!

( 256 )
The results are summarised as follows : Stem colour, in the
form of red patches, is due to a set of factors, X , A, B
and W, the light brown flushes stem colour is ontrolled by a
factor M; deep flushes stem colour is due to a factor S.
Factor R is r ,ponsible for the expression of any colour. Pink
colour of the faded corolla is depend nt on a factor F.
Narrow leaf-lobe is dominant to broad leaf-lobe and the segregation was found in the ratio of 3 : 1. Hairiness is controlled by
duplicate factors, giving 15 hairy: 1 non-hairy.
In order to discover whether there exists any seasonal effect
on segregat ion in Hibiscus sabdariffa, Deshpande (1936) carried out
a d tailed inv stigation and found that the segregation in F I of
characters, leaf-lobe and stem-colour, is not influenced by 'time'
and the author concludes that selfing of the F I generation may,
therefore, be carried out at any stage during the flowering period
without danger of disturbing the normal mendel ian ratios. In
both of the cas s the segregation was of monohybrid type,
The inheritance of various colours in the four varieties of
Hibiscus sabdariffa (Bhagalpuriensis, intermedius, ruber, albus) was
studied by Howard and Howard (1924):The following is the list of factors suggested :

R: A factor which is necessary for the expression of all red

colour.
1': A factor which allows the prociuction of red markings on
the calyx: and of pink in the fading corolla.
X: A factor or group of factors responsible for the red markings of the leaf and the stem in Bhagalpuriensis.
A: A factor producing a red dot on the central vein of the
leaf.
S : A factor producing a red band on the petiole below the
pulvinus.
W: A factor producing a red wash on the pulvinus.
PI: A factor for the pink stem flush in intermedius.
M : A factor for the brown:stem flush present in ruber.

257

N: A factor for the brown stem flush present in Bhagalpu.

riensis.
S: A factor for the scarlet stem flush present in ruber.
G: A factor responsible for the bright green of the sepal tips
in Bhagalpuriensis.
I: A factor which converts bright green sepal tips into the
green tips of intermedius.
P: A factor producing pink markings on the mature calyx.
D: A factor responsible for the dark red colour onthe calyx
of Bhagalpuriensis.
T: A factor controlling the distribution of red colour on the
lower part of the mature calyx.
Q.: A factor controlling the distribution of the red colour on
the upper part of the mature calyx.
L: A factor present in intermedius by which the red colour on
the mature calyx appears in the form of dots.
K: A factor which is present in Bhagalpuriensis by which the
red colour on the mature calyx appears in the form of
splashes.
Genetical constitutions of the varieties are :
Bhagalpuriensis Rs'FXabwplmNGipDtQ.LK
Intermedius
RsFXABWPlmnGlPdTqLK
Tuber
R(S F)XABWplMnGlPdTqLK
Albus
reS F)XABWplMnGlPdTqLK
Pollination studies in Hibiscus sabdariffa were made by
Howard and Howard (1910, 11) and Howard, Howard
and Khan (1918)
Deshpande (1943) studied the mode of inheritance of leaf-type
in H. cannabinus, the lobed leaf being dominant of the entire leaf on
a monohybrid ratio.
Natural crossing is rare in H.sabda1iffa. Only afewcaseshave
been observed where natural crossing has been observed to be due
to the visits of humming birds. In H. canlUlbinus, on the other
hand, cross fertilization is very common (Howard, Howard and
Khan, 1918).

258 )

Pistillody in Hibiscus syriacus L. has been reported by R'EO

(1936) .
Royle's book (1855) entitled "Fibrous plants of India" is a
valuable contribution towards our knowledge of fibrous plants
of India in general. He refers to a number offibre yielding species
of Hibiscus.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anoll)'mous, (1940). Rrp. work agric. stations, Madras Presidency , 1:938-39:

146- 147.
Barber, C. A. (1912 ) . Annual Rep. Botanist, Madras Presidency, 1911-1lI : go.
Chandrasekharan, S. N. and Ramakrishnan, T . S. (1929) . Botany of some
useful plants- VI. ,Madras agric. J., 17 : 7-16.
Dastur, J. F. (1925). Annual Rep. Dep. agTi!:. Central Provinces and Berar, Sectio"
Second Economic Botanist, 192<1-25'
Deshpande, R. B. (1936). Mendelian segregation in Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
in relation to the age of the FJ at time of fertilization. I"dian
J. agric. Sci., 6 : 1274-1291.
Deshpande, R. B. (1938). Studies in Indian fibre plants. NO.5. Further
studies on the inheritance of certain characters in Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
Indian J. aeric. Sci., 8 : 229-244.
Deshpande, R. B. (1943). lub'ritance of leaf-lobe in Hibiscus callnabinus L.

Indian J. Genet. Pl. Breed., 2 : 181-182.

Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1910). Mem. Dep. Agrie. Indian (Bot. Ser.),
3: 3 14.
Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1911). Mem. Dep. Agrie.India (Bot. Ser.),
<I : 9-3 6 .
Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1924)' Studies in Indian fibre plants, NO.3.
On the inheritance of characters in Hibiscus subdarifja L. Mem. Dep.
Agrie. India (Bot. Ser.) , 13 : 47-85'
Howard, A., Howard, G. L. C. and Khan, A. R . (1918). Studies in the pollination of Indian crops, 1. lofem. Dep. Agrie. India (Bot. Ser), 1 0 : 198-1119.
lChan.A. R. (1930). A new type of Roselle hemp. Agrie.J.lndia, 25 : 210-212.
Rno, L. N. (1936). A note on the pi~tillody in Hibiscus syriacus L. Curro Sci.,
5 : 301-302.
J!.0yle,J. F. (1855). Fibrous plant! of India, Smith Elder Co., London;

118" .

259

AGAVE (Siaal hemp).

Agave.
A. species.
Amaryllidaceae.
The agaves, known as aloe fibre plants, were first imported
into this country in the fifteenth century by the Portuguese. There
are five different species of this plant found in India viz.,
Agave cantala.
A. veracrul;,.
A. wightii.
A. sisalana.
A . furcroydes.
The first three species are mostly used in the extraction of
fibre. They are known by different names, e.g., in Marathi as
Gho.ipat, Ghail and Ghaipati; and in Gujrati as Ketki or Ketgi
(Sircar, 1940). Conventry (1910-11) records two varieties under
A. rigida and A. sisalana.
BIBUOGRAPHY
Coventry, F. M. (1910-"). Agave-a new industry for Bihar. Quar.
agric. Bengal, : 141-143.
Sircar, J. K. (1940). Bull. Dtp. Industry, Bombay, III : 1.2-15 .

J. Dep.

FLAX

Linum L.
L. usitatissimum L.
Lineae.
Attempts to grow flax in India.-During the last hundred years
several attempts were made to grow flax in India and also to
combine the production of oil and fibre. Without exception all
such experiments have ended in comparative failure. The last
of these attempts was made at the Dooriah Estate in Bihar, as
a result of representations made by the Dundee Chamber of Commerce to the Secretary of State for India. A Belgian flax pert'
(M. E. Vandekerkhow) was engaged for a period ofsix years, from
1907 to 1913 to direct the work of rettingand preparing the fibre
for the market. Both European acclimatized and ordinary Indian
seeds were tried, and modem methods of retting and SGutching
were adopted. The experiments were conducted with great care

( 260 )
and the results, including the details of costs, were published in
Bulletin No. 25 (1911), 30 (1912) and 35 (1913)~of the Pus a
Research Institute. The following facts emerged from these
exporiments * ;(1) The imported seeds of flax grow well on especially

selected fields, and in years when the moisture in the

surface soil is adequate for good germination.
(2) Acclimatized seeds rapidly degenerate and cannot be
sown with safety after the second or third y ar. The
growth of flax, therefore, involves the frequent
importation of fresh seed from Europe. (As the s d
rate for fibr is high and the cost of the seed is considerable, this would be a very serious item from the
cultivator's point of view).
(3) The greatest difficulty was in the retting process, which
requires a comparatively low temperature. After
the crop is pulled at the end of the cold weather, the
water soon becomes too warm for retting and a good
deal of the flax straw has to be stored in well-made
godowns till after the rains, when abundant water at
right temperature is again available. This is a severe
drawback from the point of view of the cultivator
who is compelled to sell his crop at harvest time for
cash.
(4) Indian grown flax does not command more than moderate prices. This has deterred capitalists from embarking in the industry.
As a result of these conclusions, experiments on flax cultivation after 1913 were completely stopped for a number of years.
But more recently fresh attempts have been made in some provinces. In Bengal it has been shown that 30 or 40 maunds of dry
straw, capable of yielding four or five maunds of fibre, can be
obtained from an acre. In addtion, two to four maunds of seed
*Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (19:24)'
...L!Uf.&..J IT';.n '';l.u 12-e.e...

"Crop procillction in India"

( 261 )
can also be realized. The two varieties which are grown there'
under experiments are JWS and Liral Monarch. In Bihar fresh
attempts have been made in recent years to acclimatise foreign
flax varieties.
"Recent experiments carried out in the Central Provinces .-In the
Central Provinces preliminary experiments have b en carried
out in the d irection of growing flax in different seasons of the year
and as a result of the observations made it is interesting to record
that it may be possible to encourage flax cultivation in the
following circumstances in the black cotton arcas.(1) Varieties selected for fibre from the local mixture C4n
be grown successfully during the kharif season e-specially on the uplands. Seed forroat :on, however,
is defective. Seeds should, therefore, be raised
during the rabi months and they should be sown for
fibre during the kharif season.
(2) Flax varieties can b grown under irrigation during
the rabi season. They fail completely when grown
under dry conditions, chiefly because they are late
maturing.
(3) Some varieties, such as T. 8 from the Punjab and No.
1150 from the United Provinces, can be grown
successfully to produc long flax fibre under the dry
conditions. Se ds, however, would have to be
imported every year from the respective provinces.
(4) The development of the dry-scutchning process is a
distinct advance towards encouraging flax cultivation in this province. In this process retting is doae
away with and thus the greatest difficulty which discourages the cultivation offlaxhas been removed.
Prospects offlax cultivation.-In view of the above observations
the difficulties which stood in the way of successful cultivation
as mentioned on pages 260 can now be easily r nloved and flax
cultivation may be encouraged:-

------------------------------------------------Richharia, R. H . Personal ommunication .

( 262 )
~ -~.~ (I) The qu~stion of inadequate 'moisture can be solved by
.gro~ing flax plant in the rainy season on the well-drained soil
or under irrigation during the winter.
(2) The frequent importation of fresh seeds from foreign
'cOuntries can be avoided, if selections are made from the indigenous materials for fibr -yielding capacity and improved varieties
like the Punjab T. 8 and Cawnpore No. 1150, which grow success.fully in different tracts, are introduced for cultivation.
(3) The introduction of the dry-scutching process removes
the necessity for retting the flax straw altogether, and extraction
of the fibre is possible all the year round.

e4) The demand of the material within the country is likely,

to increase as the fibre can be spun either pure or blended very
.well with cotton and jute and new fabrics can be produced.
(Richharia, 1942, 50).
It must be emphasised that if flax cultivation is to be made a
permanent feature in any State, research work, on the lines as
s1:lggested below should be carried out. The research progranune
may, however, differ in details for different localities.
Programme of work. 1. Selections of varieties of good fibreyielding capacity from the indigenous material and from the
material obtained from other States, representing as wide a range
of variation as possible, should be carried out. So far, attention
~as been paid towards selecting out varieties, suitable for oil
.seed production only.
2. Selections from the indigenous material and flax varieties
especially JWS and Liral Monarch, should be tried under the
following conditions:(i) In kharif (monsoon) season in well-drained soil.
(ii) In rabi (winter) season under irrigation.
*Richharia, R. H. (1942). Indian linseed flax., Bull. No. 3:2, C. P.
Govt. Press, 1942.

Rit:hb'lria, R. H. (1950). Wealth from Waste-Indian linllCed plant

from fibre point of view. Unit,d PrIll Lid., PllltI4, 1950.

263 )

(iii) In rabi (winter) season under dry conditions in

especially selected tracts where moisture is retained
near the surface soil for a fairly long time.
3. Hybridization between flax and linseed varieties should also
be done to evolve new varieties of wider range of variation. Hybrids (flax X linseed) evolved at the Indian Agricultural Research
Institute, New Delhi, should also be tried.
4. The fibre should be extracted by different methods, lJiz.,
dry-scutching, water-retting and chemical retting and should be
tested at every stage for the desired qualities.

CHAPTER VI
FRUIT CROPS
"There is perhaps no other country in the world where an
orchard judiciously planted would yield better results than in
India and make a handsome return to its owner in the course of a
few years. An area of ten or twenty acres of land whieh can be
had at a low rate, planted exclusively with the choicer kinds of
fruit trees would, in my opinion, be an inheritance worth 'having
especially in Behar" (Firminger, 1863.).
Literature on the breeding and genetics of fruit crops, on
modern lines, is very scanty in this country. Cheema (1934, 35)
refers to the following lines on which researches in fruit-growing
have been carried out in r cent years:
1. The breeding of suitable varieties to meet the commercial needs of the world.
2. The selection of proper root-stocks and the adoption
of convenient methods of propagation to facilitate their
distribution on large scale.
3. Nutrition offruit trees, prunning and cultural operations
to get higher yield per unit area.
4. The improvement of transport and storage to reduce
damage during movement and the sale period of fruit.
5. Methods of preservation by which surplus produce can be
economically converted into more valuable products.
6. Pests and diseases which attack fruit trees and reduce
their yield and economic value.
Horticultural workers, particularly in the provinces of the
Punjab, Bihar and Bombay, have made valuabJe contributions
in developing useful horticultural practices and giving some
stimulus to local industries.
A good amount of horticultural literature is available
in the following references: Firminger (1863); Burns and

265

Prayag (1920); Jacob (1940); Munshi (?); MaCmillian (1914);

Patvardhan and Deshmukh (?)
Pestonjee etat (1939) and Harler (1943).*
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Burns, W. and Prayag, S.N. (1920). The book of the mango: (19110).
Cheema, G. S. (1934)' Fruit research in India, its importance, history
and scope. Curro Sci., II : 376-379.
Cheema, G. S. (1935)' Recent Progress in fruit-growing in India and
abroad. Agrie. Live-Stk. India 5: 473-479,
Firminger (1863). Manual of gardening for India revised reeentb' by Dr.
W . .Burns.
Harler, Agnes W. (1943) The garden in the plains. Oxford Universi!7
Press (Indian Branch), second edition.
Jacob, K. C. (1940). A note on the edible fruits, found wild in the
Madras Presidency. Madras agrie. J., 28 : 170-181.
MaCmillian (1914), Handbook of tropical gardening and planting.
Munshi, R. A. (?) A book on 'Economic fruit trees and their Culture-'
obtainable from Pesto,yet P. PoeM and SOliS, Poona.
Patvardhan, G. B. and D eshmukh, G. B. (7) A hand-book of horticultural
practices-obtainable from Pesto,yee P. Pocha and Sons, Poona.
Peltonjee P. Pocha and Sons. (1939). Pocha's garden guide. 5th edition.

PLANTAIN OR BANANA.
Musa Linn. Musaceae.
References to plantain varieties, being cultivated in different
parts of India, hav been made by differ nt authors: 13
different varieties from Bassein, Bombay (Gammie, 1907;
Bums, 1912), 300 from Coimbatore, Madras (c.f. Burns, 1939),
45 from Samalkot, Madras (Anon., 1940) and 36 from Southern
India (Jogiraju, 1931).
Garu (1935) refers to trials being made to induce seed
setting for breeding work. It has also been recorded that the
fruit, produced by a banana plant, rai. ed from seed, proved
to be of a poor type, practically without any pulp and without
any seed in it (Anon., 1925) .
Some leaflets and bulletins of Bombay, the Punjab and United Provinces
Departments of Agriculture are also useful.

( 266 )
Cheema and Bhat (1936) record a summary of the breeding
work On banana carried out at the Imperial College of Tropical
Agriculture, Trinidad.
Agharkar and Bhaduri (1935 a, h) studied chromosome
numbers in the following species of Musaceae :
Chromosome number (2n.)

Speci s.
Musa paradisiaca Linn.
Sub-species, sapientum Linn.
(plantain).

32, 33, 34 and 35.

Vars. Champa Kela.
32,33 and 34.
Sa/ri.
Kancha /Lela.
33.
22.
Aithya.
Kahri.
33.
Dudsagar.
33.
33.
Amritsagar.
32 and 33.
Agniswar.
33.
Penang.
Musa cavendishii Lamb.
33.
(Kabult Keta).
Musa rubra Well.
22 and 23.
18.
Musa superha Roxb.
Heliconia metallica Planch.
16, 18,20 and 22.
A branched inflorescence of Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca
has been recorded by Biswas (1934).
Other abnormalities in plantains have been recorded by
Subrahmanya (1923), Salam and Suxena (1939).
General observations and short accounts (f the plantain
cultivation are given by Menon (1915), Jogiraju (1916),
Mudaliar (1920), Rao (1922). Kander (1923), Narasimham
(1937),Jacob (1939) and Anon., (1915, 29).
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Agharkar, S. Po and Bhaduri, Po N. (1935 a). Variation of Chrama.ame
numbers in Musaceae. Curro Sci., 3: 615-617.

( 267 )
Agharkar. S. P. and Bhaduri;P. N. (1"935 b). Variation of chromosome numbers in Musaceae. Proc. IIltod Indian Sci. Congress (bot.),274.

Anonymous. (1915)' Cultivation of bananas. Bombay Dept. agrie.

Anonymow'. (1925). Allnual report, Bombay Department agrie. 1924-25 : 185.
Anonymous. (1929). Cultivation of plantains on wet lands in the Godabari
delta. Madras Dept. acric.
Ano'!Ymous. ('940). Annual report, acric. research station, Samallcot, 1938-39 ; III.
Biswas, K. (1934). Observations on some plant abnormalities in Bengal.
Curro Sci" 3: 189-193.
Burns, W. (1912). Annual report, Bassein Bot. and agrie. Station D,pt. agric. Bombay
1911-IlI :

Burns, W. (1939). The progress of agricultural science in India during

the past twenty-five years. Miscellaneous bull. No. 26 (1939), ImplI'iaJ
Council agrie. research.
Cheema, G. S. and Bhat, S. S. (1936). Banana Breeding at the Imperial
College of Tropical agriculture, Trinidad. IndianJ. agric. Sci., 6 1484-501.
Gammie, G. A. (1907). An7lual report. Basselll Bot. and alric. Station, Dept. alric.,
Bombay, 1906.., ; 6-7.
Garu, D. A. R. (1935)' Report operations agric. Madras Presidency, 1934-35 : 13
Jacob,K.C.(1939). A note on the cultivation of Bananas in the Madras
Presidency. Madras agric.J., 117 : 199-202.
Jogiraju, V. G. (1916). Plantain cultivation near Madras. Madras agric.,
J., .. : 124-128.
Jogiraju, V. G. (1931).
19 : 478-482 .

Plantain varieties in the Circars.

Madras agric. J.,

Kander, T. P. S. (1923). Plantain cultivation in the Cauvery Valley.

Madras agrie. J., I I : 165-167.
"":enon, K. U. (1915)' Nendrum Plantains (Mllsa sapientum). Madras alric.
J., 3 : 428-433.
Mudaliar, V. T. S. (1920). An improvement in Plantain cultivation.
Madras agric. J., 8 ; 46-48.
Narasimham, M. (1937). Preliminary studies in Plantains grown in Madras.
Madras agrie. J., 115 : 35-44.
Rao, V. R. (1922). Cultivation of the Mauritius variety ofpJantams at Nayudupet, Nellore District, Madras, ogric. J., 10 : 306-308.
Salam, M. A. and Suxena. M. R. (1939). Teratological notes. CID"T. Sci.,
a : 472-473.
Subrahmanya (1923). Abnormalities in Plantains. Madras alric. ]., I I ; 220.

( 268

POMEGRANATE
Punica Linn. P. granatum Linn. Punicaceae.
The fruit, known as AMr (Hindi), has been grown in this
country from time immemorial.
In Gujarat porn granate is often propagated by cuttings
and in the Deccan by seed. It is found that cuttings of
pomegranate take root quickly and produce fruits in about two
years (A non., 1929).
Improvement of pomegranate by selection has been done
at the Ganeshkhind Fruit Exp rimental Station (Cheema, 1938).
A short account of pomegranate cultivation is given by
Ayyar (1931) and Anon., ( 1912 ).
The following seven varjeties have been referred to by
Ganunie (1907).

I.

Ii

PooTiaNo.
Fruit surface scarlet, red slrips in the middle about
inches broad; basal and apical portion paler, black dotled all over.
Length
inches; circumference 12 inches, 7 angled .
Apex tubular
truncate; ba~e hollow; peduncle attached in the hollow. Pericarp tough.
Seeds many, attached to a shorl funiculus, oblong, slightly tapering at
base, 6-angled, deep scarlet at apex. Taste more astringent and less
agreeable than Poolla NO.3. Fruit dehiscing on one side only. Weight,
a little over one pound.
Poona No.2. Fruit 5-angled, split on one aide near the apex.
Weight, a little less than onc pound. Apex as POOM No. I. Surface
dark red spot at one side of the base, pale red above the spot upto
the apex, remaining portion brownish white, dark spotted on the dark
And pale red portions. Length 3 inches, circumference II inches.
Seeds oblong, 5-angled, conical, smaller and redder than POOM No. I;
leu pulpy and astringent than Poona No. I.
Poona NO. 3' Fruit weight equal to POOM No. ~. Surface green yellow
with black spots all over. Colour one half deeper and the other half mixed
scarlet. Tube of the calyx 6-lobed. Seeds equal in size and pulp to
Poona No. 1., 5-corner'd. Taste more aggreeable than POOM Nos. I and
2. Pericarp thicker than Nos. I and 2.
Sangamner No. I. Fruit quite similar .in all respects to POOM No.
g. exc pt in weight which is a little less.
Sangamner NO.2 . Fruil 6-comered, scarlet red all Clver, deeper
towards the extremities. Taste ratber inferjor 'to Sangamller No. J, Calyx
tube not conspicuous.

3f

269
Cabul. Fruit 8-cornered. Integuments thicker than Muscat variety.
Colour rather deep red mixed with a little pale yellowish white. Calyx
lobes absent. Base of style distinct and protruding, having the shape oj
an inverted glass. Seeds have a darkish pulp on them.
The fruit i, hollow at the base, the hollows being surrounded by
hard dm on the inner side. Weight one pound.
Circumference I I
inches.
Muscat. Fruit weight one pound. Length 3 inches. Circumference 10 inches at base and towards the apex 6 inches. Apex hollow.
Calyx lobes deciduous. Base of style distinct. Surface upper part shining
whitish with a red tinge and the lower reddish. Pericarp stiff and hard.
Seeds 5-eorncred. Pulp pale red. The fruit 8-angled.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ano,!),mous. (1912). Bombay Dep. agric. (Leaflet).
Ano'!)'Tnous. (1929). Annual Rep. Dep. agric. Bombay, 1928-29 : 231.
Ayyar, P. S. S. (1931). A short note on the pomegranate and its cultivation in Somanur (Coimbatore district). Madras agric. J., 19 : 24-29.
Cheema, G. S. (1938). Annual Rep. Dep. agric. Bombay, 1937-38 : 298.
Gammie, G. A. (1907). Annual Rep. Ganeshkhilld bot. station., Dep. agric. Bo"..
hay, 1906-7: 20-21.

MANGO
Mangifera Linn. M. indica Linn. Anacardiaceae.
The mango forms an important fruit crop of India and
'has been cultivated in this country from time immemorial.
It has been classified by a number of workers. Prayag
(1913) records three sub-varieties of a well known mango called
Alphonso mango or Prince of mangoes, Viz. , Gol, Kala and Kagdi Apoos.
Burns (1913) refers to forty-three varieties of mangoes,
being studied at the Ganeshkhind Botanical garden. Burns and
Prayag (1915 a) suggested a provisional classification of mango
varieties in general as follows :
(1) Round-fruited-those varieties which have fruits
with the axis from stalk to tip
constantly shorter than the transverse axis.
(2) Long-fruited-those vari.ed s in which the length
is distinctly greater than the
breadth.

( 270
(3) Indefinite--

those varieties which contain the

forms with both axes equal and
also any doubtful or variable forms.
In a later publication the authors (Burns and Prayag, 1920)
suggested a few more characters which might be employed in
classifying fruits into classes subordinate to the main classes,
referred to above. Woodhouse (1909) also suggested a Somewhat similar classification for the mangoes of Bhagalpur in
Bihar. The Bihar mangoes were Furth r classified into 76
varieties. A reference to the varieties, being maintained at the
Fruit Research Station at Sabour (Bihar), has been made by
Sen (1939 a, 1942 a). A triple drupe in mango has been
recorded by Cooper and Ella Gonzalves (1938) and a double
drupe, by Sinha (1931).
A number of polyembryonic and monoembryonic varieties
in mango has been isolated and grown at the fruit research
.tation, Kodur (Anon., 1940). At the same station the work
on description of the cultivated mango varieties of South India
has also been carried out.
To test how far country varieties of mango breed true to
the parent type, six plants of each of the different varieties were
grown and of these three produced fruits. They did not differ
from the parent type except in size w,h ich was smaller in the
second generation (Anon., 1929).
Crossing in mango was attempted by Burns (1913) at ~he
Ganeshkhind Botanical Garden. Fruits of the size of a Jowar
grain developed which ultimately dropped. Wagle (1929)
succeeded in crossing the Alphonso variety with Raival or the
country mango. Sen (1942 a) records crosses having been made
and fourteen hybrid progenies being grown at Sabour (Bihar).
In a later publication Sen, MaUik & Ganguly (1943) record
the details of their experiments.
Roy (1939) determined th(.. chromosome numbers in five
varieties of mangoes as varying ii"om n=6 to n-8.
Wagle (1929) made observations on the pollination of
the Alphonso mango variety of Ratnagiri and found that nearly

( 271
50 per cent. of the complete flowers are unpollinated and
unfertilized. Insects and movement of air help pollination.
Yielding capacity in mangoes has been shown to be
affected by a number of factors, such as a high percentage
of perfect flowers being closely associated with high productivity
(Anon., 1940), notching nd ringing, tending to increase the
yield, the effect of the operation being to produce larger number of flower heads (Wagle, 1928 b).
Burns and Prayag (1915 b) tried to graft the mango
inflorescenc and found that the inflorescence dies after the
fruit, born on it, reaches maturity, but it may al 0 persist,
producing veg tative axillary branches. Results on the grafting
experiment with the mango have been reported by Prayag
(1920), Furtado (1921), Joshi (1921) and Sen (1942 b).
Bums (1913) records that planting of seeds, freshly taken
out, is the most desirable. Joshi (1939) studied the viability of
mango seeds and concluded that resting period is not necessary
and after a storage of about 40 days the germinating power is
seriously affected, the seeds becoming completely n'Jn-viable
after about 100 days.
Wagle (1928 a) records observations on the shedding
of mango flowers and fruits. Various causes have b enattributed to this shedding by several workers, such as th occurrence of
mildew on the inflorescence, infertility of a large proportion
of the pollen, vegetative propagation through many generations
of defective nutritional conditions. He also observed that the
Jassid hoppers and mildew materially affect the crop, but
according to him these are not the only factors.
Double and quadruple fruits in mangoes are recorded by
Biswas (1934). The development of radicle was observed in a
condition when the fruit was quite perfect (Nandi, 1934).
An abnormal branch in this plant has been recorded by Burldll
and Bose (1907) in which leaves were born on one side and
bracts with flowering axis on the other. Sen (1942 b) observed
flowers being produced by root stock stems on mango grafts.
Maheshwari (.1934) records the development of the anther,

( 272

carpel, endosperm and embryo and a short account of pollination and fertilization in Indian mango. Sen and Mallik
(1941) determined the time of flower-bud formation in the
mango.
The viviparous germination in a local variety of Mangifera
indica was observed by Singh and La1 (1937) . Sen and Mallik
(1940) report the occurrence of multiple shoots in germinated
seeds and polyembryony in certain varieties of Indian mangoes.
The problem of alternate bearing in mangoes has been
recently tackled in Bihar (Sen, 1939 a, b ; 43 a). It has been
shown that it can be made to bear regularly every year by
cultural manipulations. La! Singh and Khan (1940) also make
a reference to the subject of alternate bearing in mangoes.
The so-called smoke damage of the mango which is known
as the black-tip disease of the mango has been studied in
detail by Sen (1943 b). He notes that there exists the varietal
difference in the susceptibility to the smoke damage.
Publications of the departments of Agriculture, Madras
(1925-26 & 1931) and Bombay (1915, 20 & 28) are useful.
BIBUOGRAPHY

Anon., (19~9). Annual Rept. Dept. agri. Bombay, 19!1.8-29 : 233

Anon., (1940). Madras agrie. Stations Reports, 1938-39 : 871-892.
Biswas, K. (1934), Observations on some plant abnormalities in Bengal,
Curro Sci., 3 : 18g-193.
Burkill, I. H. and Bose, G. C. (1907) . An abnormal branch of the mango
(Mangifera indica, Linn .). J. and Proe. Asial. Soc. Bengal (New Series)., 3:
4~7-432.

Burns, W. (1913)' Annual Rept. Ganeshkhind Bot. Garden, Dept. Agrie. Bombay,
19111- 1 3 : 7
Burns, W. and Prayag, S. H. (1915 a). The classification of mango varieties.
Agrie. J. India, 10 : 374-379.
Burns) W. and Prayag, S. H. (1915 b). Grafting the mango inflorescence. J.
and Proc. Asiatic Soc. Bengal (New Series), I I : 7-8.
Burn~. W. and 'Prayag, S. H. (1920). The book of the mango. Bulletin No.
103, Bombay Dept. Agric. 1920.
Cooper, R. E. and Ella Gonzalves. (1938). A note on some abnormalities in
plants colleCted in Bombay. II. J. Uni. Btmlbll'. 6 : 4'-46.

( 273 )
Furtado, C.X. (1921). Influence of stock on scion. Agrie.]. India, 16: 226-227.
Jomi, P. G. (1921). Influence ofstod on scion. Agric.]. India, 16 : 475-476.
Joshi, W. V. (1939). Longevity of mango seeds (Itone8) . POOI'I(J. agrie. Coil.
Maga.cine, 30 (NO.1).: 18-19.
Lal Singh and Khan, A. A. (1940). IndiQII]. agrie. Sci., 9 : 835'
Maheshwari, P. (1934). The Indian Mango. Curro Sci., 3 : 97-98.
Nandi, T. (1934) . Abnormal development of the radicle in mango. Curro
Sci., 3 : 128.
Prayag, S. H . (1913)' Tile AlphollSo Mango. Agrie. ]. India, 8 : 169-171.
Prayag, S. H. (1920). Agrie.]. India, 15 .
Roy, B. (1939 ). On the chromosome number of some cultivated varieties of
mangoes (Mangijera indica Linn.). Sci. and Cult., 5 : 196.
Sen, P. K. (1939 a). A,III. Rep. Fruit. Ru. Stat. Sabour, Billar, 1937-38 and
1938-39'
Sen, P. K. (1939 b). Alternate bearing in mangoes. Punjab Fruit ]., 3
(No. II) .
.Sen, P. K . (1942 a). Ann. Rep. Fruit Res. SIal. Sabollr, Bihar, 1,.1-48.
Sen, P. K. (1942 b) . Production ofllowers on root-stock stems of mango grafts
in nursery. Indian J. agrie., Sci. 12 : 523-524'
l:ien, P. K. (1943 a). The bearing problem of the mango and how to control
it. Iridiall]. Horj., I : 48-71.
Sen, P. K. (1943 b). Black-tip disease of the mango. Indian]. aCTic. Sci.,
13 : 300-333.
Sen, P. K. and Mallik, P. C. (1940). Embryo of the Indian mangoes (Martgifera indica Linn.) Indian]. agric. Sci., 10 : 750-760.
Sen, P. K. and Mallik, P. C. (1941). The time of differentiation of the
flower bud of tile mango. Indian]. agrie. Sci., n : 74-81.
Sen, P. K. MaUik, P. C. and Ganguly, B. D. (1943) . Hybridization of the
mango. IndiQII]. Hort., 1 (No. 2).
Sinha, B. N. (1931). Notes on the teratology of certain Indian plants-VIII.
J. Indian, bot. Soc., 10 : 160-163.
Singh, B. N. and Lat, B. N. (1937). Investigation of the Physiologi.c al and
chemical changes, accompanying viviparous germination in mango.
]. [JUlian. bot. SDf;., 16 : 129-136.
Wagle, P . V. (1928 a). Studies in the shedding or mango flowers and fruits,
Part I. Mem. Dept. Agric.India, (Bot. Ser.), 15 : 219-249.
Wagle, P. V. (1928 b). Ringing and notching experiments with the mango.
Agrie. ] . India, .3 : 287-289.
Wagle, P. V. (1929)' A preliminary study of the pollination of the AlpboolO
Mango. AgTic.]. India, 24 : 259-263.
Woodhowe, (1909). Qparterb>]. D,pt. aerie. B'''IaJ,

( 274 )
PAPAYA
Carica Linn.
Carica papaya Linn.
Caricaceae.
Carica papaya Linn. is a dioecious plant, but both the
sexes including all kinds of intersexes are also rarely found
on the same plant. Flowers in male individuals are small and
are borne in long branching panicles of about 2 to 3 feet
in length, while those in the female are large and almost
sessile and are borne along the side of the trunk in axils of
the leaves.
Breeding and genetics. Some distinct varieties of
papaya exist under cultivation, such c;s Gujrat, Washington, Ceylonlong, Ranclzi-mammoth, Bangalore, etc., which vary in shape and
size of fruits, height of plants, etc. But the varieties are
difficult to maintain pure which is due to the occurrens:e of
unisexual plants. Lack of satisfactory technique, in controlling
the occurrence of unproductive unisexual individuals in the
progenies of single plants, adds further difficulties in the breeding work. Attempts have, therefore, been made by some
workers, referred to below, to solve this problem of determination of sex in papaya. Sen (1939, 41) refers to six types of
papayas of Dr. Voortrekker's selections and other varieties
mentioned above, being grown at Sabour (Bihar). A variety
HOMy -dem is cultivated in the Baroda State and Washi11gton in
Sind.
DeterJllination of sex. G netical investigations to solve the
problem of sex in papaya were undertaken by Burns (1913,20)
and Sen (1941, 42, 43 a). Kumar and Abraham (1942) attempted
to distinguish heteromorphic pair of chromosomes, but no
distinct such a pair could be observed. Sen (1941,42,43 a)
attempted to solve the problem of sex in papaya by crossing
flowers on femal ' plants with pollen taken from flowers on
male plants, the two types of individuals being raised from the
seeds of a single fruit. From the monoecious plants selfseeds have also been obtained. It is hoped that these two
lines of genetical approach may throw light to determine the
se" in papaya and th~r~br tQ f"ise with precision the productive

( 275 )
plants. In earlier years, Burns (1913, 20) mado crosses
between pure female and hermaphrodite trees to get a race
with a large percentage of female trees and an increasing
percentage is obtained.
Parandikar (1935) records seed variations in this plant.
It might be interesting to attempt to correlate seed character.
with sex.
Change of su. Kulkarni (1924, also c.f. Burns, 1920)
made the following observations: The papaya shows trees
purely male, trees purely female, and several types of hermaphrodites. Of these hermaphrodites, there are at least two clearly
defined types, viz., (1) a type which produces occasional fertile
flowers on a long peduncle bearing, for the most part, male
flowers ; (2) a type, bearing fertile flowers of larger size on
a short peduncle that may have male flowers upon it. These
types may appear from one set of seeds. Moreover, a change
of sex may be observed in the life time of a plant. This
may occur without any apparent exciting cause or it may be
induced by beheading the tree. The author also observed
a tree that had completed the whole cycle of sex and came
back to its original condition in its own life-time. Sarup
(1934 a, b) found that sex in the species can be changed by
decapitation, i.e., when the sterile staminate plants are beheaded, they becople strictly female. Mujumdar (1934) confirms these
observations and records that the best results are achieved in
transplanted plants and sometimes repeated toppings may be
necessary.
Cytology. Asana and Sutaria (1928, 29) studied the
meiotic process in Carica papaya and recorded the formation
of nine bivalents which, at anaphase, do not disjoin and reach
the poles at one and the same time. Lagging of univalents
was observed. Kumar and Abraham (1942) observed 2n=18
with no distinct heteromorphic pair. . The authors also record
2n ... 18 for C. pubescens which differed from those of C.papaya in
being slightly larger.
MUc,lJaae01I.. Seed germination in.'lid.c; a ripe fruit is

276

recorded by Rao (1936). Internal proliferation, i. e., fruits

found within big fruits of Carica papaya, was recorded by
Say duddin and Bari (1936). Shah (1937) mentions that
similar abnormalities in the fruits of Carica papaya were also
observed by B rgman (1921 , 1925).
Cheema (1924), Cheema and Dani (1929, 30) and Sen
(1939, 41) observed that papaya can develop fruits, without
pollination, which are also seedless. Thus seedless fruits can
be produced by excludinp, pollination, but the weight and size
of the fruit are greatly reduced and are proportional to the
number of se ds set . According to Burns (1920) parthenocarpy
exists to a very large extent in this crop. The seeds within
such fruits were not viable.
Kulkarni (1914) and Sen (1943 b) record that thepropagation of Carica papaya can be done by cuttings. Its propagation
from graft has also been referred to by Kulkarni ( 1914) .
The latter also found that branching can be induced by re ..
mova! of tops. The thinning (If the fruits has also been found
advantageous. Burns (1913) records that it takes gen rally
not less than 20 days after pollination to form fruit.
Publications of the d partments of Agriculture of Bihar
(1932), Bombay (1930, 32) and the United Provinces will
be found useful.
BIBLIOGRAPHY .
Asana, J. J. and Sutaria, R . N. (1928). A cytological study of pollen
development in Carica papaya. Proc. 15th Indian Sci. Congress (Bot.), 227.
Asana,J.J. and Sutaria,R. N. (1929). A cytological study of pollen development in Carica papaya, Linn. J . Indian bot. Soc., 8 : 235- 244.
Burns, W. (1913). Annual Report, Garleshkhina Bot. Garden. Dtpt. agric., Bombay.
Igu-13 ; 12-16.
Burns, W. (1920). Some aspecr'! ofplantgenetici. Agrie J. India, 15 ; 250-1I75
.Bergman, H. F. (1921 ). Bot. Gat., 72 (No.2) : 97-101.
Bergman, H. F. (1925)' Bot. Gat., 79 (No.2) ; 222-223
Cbeema, G. S. (1924), Annual Report. Dept. agric., Bombay Presidenry, 19saR113; J88.
Cbeeroa, G. S. and Dani, P . G. (1929)' Seedlcnoaa in papayaa. Agrie. J.
.
lrtdia., .. ; 206-207.

{ 277 }
Cheema, G. S. and Dani, P. G. (1930). Papaya cultivation in the Bombay
PrC!idency (excluding Sind). Bull. No. 162 ~f 1930) Bombay PresidlTUJl.
Behar, S. p. ( 1930). Proc. 17th Indian Sci. Congress, (Bot.), 294.
Dixit, S. C. (1926). A note On Carica papaya. Proc. 13th Indian Sci. Congress
(Aline.), 222.
Kulkami,L.B. (1 914), Investigations on papaya. Agric.J.India, 9 : 384-388.
Kulkarni, L . B. (1924) ' Further changes of sex in the andromo.noecious types
of papaya. Proc. loth India". Sci. Congress (Agrjc.), 187 .
Kumar, L. S. S. and Abraham, A. (1942). Chromosome number in Cama.
Curr. Sci., I I : 58.
Mujumdar, G . P. (1934). Change of sex in the male plants of Carica papay_a
WiJ1d. by decapitation. Curro Sci., 3 : 39.
Parandikar, S. A. (1935)' A note on set'd variations in Carica papaya. Cut:r.
Sci., 3 : 379
Rao, H. S. (1936). Germination of the seeds of Carica papaya inside the fruit.
Curro Sci., 5 : 81-83.
Sarup, S. (1934 a). Sex control in papaya. J. Indian bot. Soc., 13 : 269.
Sarup, S. (1934 b). Sex control in papaya. Curro Sci., lot : 428.
Sayeeduddin, M. and Bari , A. (1936) . . Internal proliferation in CaricapajJllYtt
Linn. Curro Sci., 4 : 740-74"
Sen, P. K . (1939). AnllUill Rep. Fruit Res. Stat., Sabaur, Bihar, '998-990 COlli.
Press, Patna.
Sen, P. K. (1941). Annual Rep. Fruit Res. Stat., Sabour, Bihar, 1939-40, Govi.
Press, Patna.
Sen, P. K. (194!2). Annual Rep. Fruit Res. Stat., Sabour, Bihar, IM0-4'1, GODt.
PrMs, Pat.aa.
Sen, P. K. (1948 a) . Annual Rep. Fruit RIS. Stat., Sabour, Bihar, IMI-4Sl, Covt.
PrtSs, Patna.
Sen, P. K. (1943 b). Indian J. Hart., I : 85-86.
Shah, R. (1937) . Internal proliferation in Carica papaya Linn. Curro Sci.,
5: 39 1

CITRUS FRUITS

Citrus Linn.
Rutaceae.
There are a number of species of the genus Citrus, but
the classification does not appear to be satisfactory. Thefollowiug species are recognised.
Citrus aurantiifolia. (Lime fruit).
C. aurantium Lirm. [Karall Jamir (Assam)].
C. hystm DC. (Sattora (Asaaro), Shauk1lf)o (Bunna).

( 278 )

C. limltta Risso. (sweet lime), Mitha nimbu (Hindi).

C. limonia Osbeck. [Nimboo (Punjab)].
C. maxima [Chacotra (Hindi)].
C. medica Linn. [MahaZung (C. P.)].
C. nobi/is Lour. rSantra (Hindi)].
C. paradisi Macf. (Grape fruit).
C. sintnsis Osbeck. [Kamala nimbu (Bengal) Narangi (U.P.)].
Hayes (1943) records useful remarks on the classification
and nomenclature of Citrus in India. The other references
which refer to this subject are: Cheema et al (1937); Lal
Singh and Sham Singh (1942); Tanaka (1924, 25, 37) and
Watt (1908).
Eastern India has been considered the home of all Citrus
fruits except Osmocitrus which grows in the hard winter (Tanaka,
1935). Several species, including the most primitive forms,
grow wild in Assam and Eastern Bengal. There lies, therefore,
a great scope for inducing variability in Citrus forms by including the wild forms of Citrus in the breeding programme. Bhat
(1934 b) makes a reference to the origin of the Santra orange.
. Cheema and Bhat (1934) made an extensive study of the
Cilrus varieties of the Bombay Presidency, and Sawyer (1910)
records observations on the Burmese "Shauknoo," Citrus hYStriK.
Observations on the improvement of oranges in the Oentral
Provinces have been recorded by Shrivastava (1920), trials of
orange stocks at Peshawar by Brown (1920) and nursery technique
at Anantarajupet (Madras Presidency) by Nail!: (1939). In
Sind four different kinds of grape-fruits have been grown.
Observations on the leaf, flower and fruit characters
of the Santra orange, C. nobiZis Lour., were recorded by Bhat
(1934 a).
Biswas (1934) observed abnormalities in the fruit of
Citrus decumana, resulting in double fruits.
Bhat (1934 c) records observations on the development
of Sanlra bud on Jamburi stock. Some more information on
grafting may be had from the Annual Report of the Bombay
Presidency for the year, 1928-29.

279 )

Short accounts,.,f cultivation of lim, are given by IKannappa

(1922). Srinivasan (1923) and Ayyar (1928).
BmUOGRAPHY A.
Ayyar, T. V. A . (1928). A note on lemons at Kadayam Tinnevelly District.
Madras acrie. J., 16 : 162-164'
Bbat, S. S. (!934 a). The leaf, flower and fruit characters of the Santra
Orange. CurroSri., !II : 485'
Bhat, S. S. (1934 b). The origin ofthesantra orang. Curro Sci.,3: 151-152.
Bhat, S. S. (1934 c). The development of santra bud on Jan.buri Stock.
Agrie. Live-Stk. India, 4 : 624-632.
Biswas, K . (1934). Observations on some plant abnormalities in Bengal.
Curro Sci., 3 : 189-193'
Brown, W. R. (1920) . The orange, a trial of stocks at Peshawar. Aim.
Res. Institute, Pusa Bull. No. 93 : 1-7.
Cbeema, G. S. and Dbat, S. S. (1934). A study of the Citrus varieties of .the
Bombay Presidency. Curro Sci., . !Z : 298-34.
Cheema, G. S. Karmakar, D. V. and Joshi, B. M. (1937).
7 : 168-175

IndianJ. atri. Sri.,

Hayes, W. B. (1943). Some remarks on classification and nomenclature of

Citrus in India. IndianJ. Hort., I : 72-76.
Kannappa, P. (1922) . Lime cultivation at
10 : 155-158.

Kadayarn.

Madras agric. J.,

Lal Singh and Sham Singh. (194!l). IndianJ. agrU. Sci., 12 : 381-399.
Naik, K. C. (1939). Some Citrus nursery technique trials at the fruit research
station, Anantarajupet, Madras Presidency. Indian J. agrie. Sci',9 : 651-673.
Sawyer, (1910) . The Shank-Noo (Citrus /!)Istrix DC.) . Agrie. J. India, 5 :.
33 1-334.
Shrivastava, K. P. (1920). A preliminary note on the improvement of
oranges. Agric. J. India, 15 : 508-515.
Srinivasan, K. (1923). A short note on the cultivation of lime at Andarpantbi
Village. Madras agm. J., I I : 435-436.
Tanaka, T. (1924). Sri. & cu/l., I : 3.
Tanaka, T. (1925). Sri. & cu/l., I : 69.
Tanaka, T. (1935)' Origin and development of Citrus species and varietiea.
Prot. Au. tcon. BioI. Coimbatort, 3 : 49-50.
Tanaka, T. (1937). J. Indian [101. Soc., 16 : !l1.l7-40.
Watt, G. (1908). The commercial products ofIndia. John Murray, London.

( 28D )
BlBUOGRAPHY B.
Bomba} (I9!l7). Notes on the lemon indUJtry in Italy.
Bombay (I9~7). Improvement of lemon croll by budding.
Bomba) (I 9!l7-28). The cultivation of oranges and allied fruits in the Bombay
Presidency.
Bombay (I9!l9). A preliminary nole on the possibilities of the developnlent of
lemon industry in Western India.
B~bay (193[). Selection of a Bile for an orange orchard.
Si";' ([935-36). The cultivation of grape fruit in Sind.
1slnited Provinces. Notes on oranges and lemons-by Davis,
Un#td Provinc,s. Citrus cultivation-by R. G. Allen.

GUAVA
Myrtaceae.

Psidium Linn.

Improvement in guavas has been carried out chiefly in the

Bombay Presidency. The following three IIpeCieli of the genus
Psidium have been referred to :P. cattbyanum, (Anon., 1928).
P. guyava, (Anon., 1927).
P. molle, (Anon., 1927).
Some popular varieties of guavas are : Benares type, Lucknow
type, Allahabad type, Haril;,a type and Seedless guavas, being grown
in different localities.
Burns (1913) records seven varieties of guavas, being under
trial at the Ganeshkhind Botanical Garden. Cheema, Joshi
and Deshmukh (1925) classified this crop on yield basis, into (a)
constantly high yielders, (b) irregular yielders and (c) small
yielders.
Improvement of this crop has been chiefly carried out by
selection in the Bombay Province. Publications of that
Agricultural Department should be consulted. Chee.ma (1939)
records observation made at the Ganeshkhind Fruit Experi.mental
Station, Kirkee, where Lucknow No. 24 has been reported to be
slightly higher yielder than Lucknow No. 49. The selected varieties were found to be superior to local guava in the Bombay
Presidency (Anon., 1928). According to Dr. W. Burns the general
belief that red fruited guavas possess a greater number of seeds

281

per fruit than white frujted guavas does not always hold g<i>Od.
A bulletin entitled "Culture of guava and its improvement by:
selection in Western India" published by the Bombay Department of Agriculture is recommended for detailed information.
Burns (1913) records that crosses between flow rs of red and
white fruited guavas were made. Fruits were fonned, but they
ultimately dropped. Hybridization work ill Psidium cattbyanum has
been carried out in the Bombay Presidency with a view to get
a guava with red skin and few seeds (Anon., 1928). Crosses were
also made in the same Presidency between the Lucknow variety
of guava, Psidium gU.Jtwa, and the straw-berry guava, Psidium
molle. The hybrid seeds did not germinate (Anon., 1927) .
Grafting experiments wre conducted by Burns (1913) who
refers to scions ofredfl'uited guava plants being grafted on stocks
of plants with white fruits.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
AnDlI)mous. (1927) . Atmual Rep. Dep. a,",., Bombay, 1926-27 ; 220.
AnD'!)Imous. (1928) . Annual Rep. Dep. agrie., Bombay, 1927-118 ; 240.
Burns, W. ( 191 3) . Annual RIjJ. Ganes/Jkhilld Bot. Garden, Dep. agrie., BombqJi,
1912-13, 8-12.
Cheema, G. S. (1939) Annual R,p. Dept. agrie. Bombay, 1938-39 : 282 .
Cheema, G. S., Joshi, P. G. and Deshmukb, G. B. (1925). Improvement of
guava by selection. Prrx:. ll!ltllltulian Sci. Congress, 33.

GRAPE
The grape-vine was first introduced somewhere about 1890
by a French Jesuit Clergyman in villages near Kodaikanal Road
and Dindigal in the district of Madura. At first this crop occupied
only a very small area, but gradually the christian ryots realised
the value of the plant and extended its cultivation to lands which,
before the introduction of this crop, were utilized for growing
paddy,CholamandCumbu. (c.!. Ayyangar, 1923). Eleven different
varieties in Sind and eight in the Punjab havebeengrQwn.
Improvement of grape-vine has been done at the Ganeshkhind
Fruit Experimental Station (Bombay) by Cheema (1937). He

282

(Cheema, 1928) attempted to improve Pandhari Sahebi grape by

raising seedlings which exhibited variability in several characters.
Observations on the inflorescence and flowers in grape have
been recorded by Pea yag (1921) .
Self-sterility in this plant has been)hown to be due to the lack
of self-fertilization (Deshmukh, 1924). The author suggests, that,
if cross-fertilization by some means is affected in certain sterile
varieties, fertility may be increased. Prayag (1922) reports that
pollen of self-sterile plants of grape, grown in the Ganeshkhind
Botanical Garden, Kirkee, do not show the characteristics
observed in the flowers of such varieties in America.
Burns (1939) notes that crasses have been brought about between Indian and foreign grapes in the Pubjab.
Patwardhan (1918), Rao (1919), Ayyangar (1923), Krishnamurthi (1925) and Anon. (1928-29,29) give short accounts of the
cultivation of grape-vines in various parts of India.
BmUOGRAPIIY
Al'Ulnymous. (1928-29; 29). Madras Dept. agrie., leaflets.
Ayyangar, C. R. (1923) . Grape-vine cultivation in Madura District. Madras
agne. ]., 'll : 2og-!H2.
Bums, W. (1939). The progress of agricultural science in India during the
past twenty-five years. Imp. Council agrie., Res. Misc. Bull., No. 116 (1939).
Cbeeroa, G. S. (1928). Improvement of Pandhari Sahebi grape by the use of
seedlings. Agrie. ]., India, "3 : IIJ-114.
Cheema, G. S. (1937). AnnualRep. Dep. agrie.Bombay, 1936-37: 270.
Deshmukh, (1924), Self-sterility in g~apes. Agrie. ]., India, 19 : 613-616.
Krishnamurthi, P. R. (1925). The grape-vine at Krishnagiri (Salem District).
Madras agm. ]., 13 : 115-116.
Patwardhan, G. B. (1918). Experiments on grape vines. Madras agne. J.,
G : 38-41.
P.rayag, S. H. (1921). Some observations on the inflorescence and flowers of
the grape. Agne.]. India, 16 : 60-64.
Prayag, S. H. (1922). A preliminary note on the increase of grape yield. Agrie.
J., India, 17 ; 41-50.
.
Rao, V. R. (1919). Grape-vine cultivation at Penukonda. Madras agrie. J.,
7 : 118-120.

( 283 )
PLUM

Prunus Linn. P. communis Hud. Var. insitutia. Rosaceae.

During 1905 and 1906, a fairly large collection of plwns was
made at Pusa. Two kinds of varieties, viz. , early ones, bearing
heavy crops and late ones failing to set fruits, have been isolated
(Howard, 1910).1 Departments of agriculture of the Punjab and
Madras tried a number of varieties, obtained from out side.
Khan (1928) Z records that sterility in the late variety was due
to formation of defective stamens which do not form pollen at all
and due to late flowering which prevents pollination from thy early
variety, the flowering period of which ceases before the late
variety comes into flower. At the Pomological Fruit Station,
Madras, similar observations were made and it is mentioned that
fruit setting in pll:lm varieties is appreciably increased by crosspollination (Anon., 1940).1

CASHEWNUT
Anacardium Linn. Anacardium occidentale Linn. Anacardiaceae.
The cashew-nut is known as Kaju (Hindi) and is believed to
be a native of SouthAmerica. It was introduced in to India by
the Portuguese for checking erosion on the sandy coasts of the
Peninsula. In certain parts of the country it now grows wild.
Short accounts of cultivation of this crop have been given by
Krishnan (1931), Sarma (1932) and Ittyachan (1939).
Other references are :-Watt (1889), Padmanabha Iyer
(1934), Sayed (1932,t39) and Anon., (1933).
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Anonymous. (1933)' Madras Dep. azric. leaflets.
Ittyachan, C. T. (1939) . Cashew-nuts. Madras agm. J., fl.7 : 313-324.
Krishnan, L. (1931). A prospect for the Porornboke or the cultivation of the
Cashew-nut. Madras aim. J., 19 : 120-122.
I. Howard, A. (1910). Bull. agm. Rei. In.rt. Pusa, 16.
2. Khan, A.R. (1928). Defective bearing in plum, Agm.J.,lruiio, fl., : 134-136.
3 ..4tu1l1)'I1IIIUI. (1940). RIJI. Madras apie., St.ti,ns, 1"8-39: 840-841.

( 284 )
Padmanabha Iyer, A. (1934). The Casb.ew Industry. My$or~ &0. J., 20 :
645- 646.
Silfma, A. H. S. (1932). Cashew-nut: Its cultivation and marketing on the
Malabar coast. Madras agm. J., 20 : 22g-229
Sayed, I. A. (1932). The Cashew-nut or the tropical almond, POOTUl agric.
Coil. Mag., 23 : 33-38.
Sayed, I. A. (1939). The development of the Cashew-nut industry in India.
Agrie. Live-Stk. Ilidia, 9 : 26-41.
Watt, G. W. (188g). Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, ][ : 232-33.

WATER MELON.
A reference to black seeded and red seeded Lahore water
melons has been made by Main (.1918-21). *
Short accounts of cultivation have been recorded by Patrudu
(1919) t and Raghavan (1940).
OTHER FRUIT CROPS.

Annona Linn. Annonaceae.

Annona squamosa Linn., the custard apple, locally known as
Sitaphal (Bombay, Central Provinces), is found all over India. The
fruits are very much relished and the leaves and roots are used in
the indigenous system of medicine. The bark yields an inferior
fibre. A short botanical description of the plant is given by
Ramakrishnan and Chandrasekhar (1928).
Annona reticulata Linn., locally known as Ramphal (Bombay,
Clmtral Provinces), is also grown all over India for its fruits.

Coccinia indica Wight. & Am. (Cephalandra indica).

Cucurbitaceae.
The fruit is largely cultivated in the southern and western
parts of India. A short account of its cultivation is given by
Jogiraju (1923).
Kumar and Deodikar (1940) studied the species cytologically.
Main, T. F. (lgI8-21). Triennial report, agrie. station Landhi, 1918-!1I : 10.
tPatrudu, S. S. (J919). Note on the cultivation of melons Oil the Hagari
river-bed. Madras agm. J., 7 : 240-243.
:t:Raghavan, A. (1940)' A note on the melon cultivation at Sidhout. Madras
iJlric. J., .8 : 15- 1 9'

285 )

They found that in this dioecious species the somatic chromosome

number is 26. Of the 26 chromosomes in the female, 12 pairs are
of similar size and the thirteenth is het romorphic in that one
chromosome is bigger and the other smaller than any of the remaining chromosomes. In the male also) 12 pairs are of uniform
size and the thirteenth pair consisted of two large chromosomes
which were as large as the large chromosome of the heteromor.
phic pair of the female.

DATE PALM
P.farinifera Roxb . .,
P. sylvestris Roxb. ~
Palmae.
P. dacf:Jlifera Linn. J
The date palm, known as Khajoor (Hindi), is grown chiefly
for its fruit. Its leaves are used as a source of fibre. The plant
is also utilized for tapping for palm wine and for sugar. Its fresh
juice forms a good drink (Patwardhan, 1920). The fruit of
certain varieties is eaten by a large section of the population.
Chromosome number in Phoenixfarinifera is found to be n = 18
and 2n=36 by Patel and Narayan (1937).
phoenix Linn.

_{)dphus Mill. .(',iziphusjujuba Lam. Rhamnaceae.

Certain varieties of .(',iziphus jujuba Lam., known as Bor or Ber
(Hindi), are budd d on some wild varieties of the same species to
give better fruits.'" Cheema (1929) r cords that wild bush,
.(',iziphus rotundifolia, can also be profitably used as a stock plant.
In the Punjab two varieties, vk., No. 13 and Urman) have been
recognised.

PEACH
Prunlts Linn.
P.persica Stokes.
Rosaceae.
During 1905 and 1906 a fairly large collection of peaches was
made at Pusa and Howard (1910) refers to six varieties of this
fruit, being grown at the same research centre. An account of its
cultivation has alsCl been given by the author. In Sind five
different types and in the Punjab two, have been grown .
Bombay (19117028).. The budding ofwildBor trees in Gujaratoa leaf.let.

( 286

Khan (1930) records some observations on the pollination

of peaches, PruntlS persica Stokes. He observed that cross-pollination is necessary to obtain good yield.

SAPATU OR CHIKU
Achras Linn. Achras sapota Linn. Sapotaceae.
It is locally known as "Sapatu" or "Chiku". Attempts were
made to graft Achras sapota on wild stocks, Mimusops elengi
and Bassia [atifolia , but they did not succeed (Gammie, 1908) .
Observations on grafting of this species were also made by Furtado
, (1921) andJoshi (1921).
Rourullong and medium types have been generally recognised.
MULBERRY
Morus Linn. Morusirulica. Moraceae.
Locally it is known as Shaitut or Tut (Punjab).
Two kinds of mulberry are recorded vil;,., Morus alba Linn.
and Morus indica Linn. (Finucane, 1886). In Sind two varieties, vil;,., white-long and black-long., have been recognised.
A short account of the mulberry cultivation is given by Rao
(1933).
LITCHI
Nephelium Linn. . N.litchi Camb. Sapindaceae.
Observations on the pollination and fruit formation in litchi,
Nephelium litchi Camb., were made by Khan (1929). The flowers
are unisexual. Chaudhuri (1940) records observations on the
morphology and chromosome number of Litchi chinensis Sonner.
In Bihar earb', medium and late varioties have been recognised.
FIG
Cheel11a and Gan dhi (1923) showed that notching in fig plants
increases yield. A few observations on this crop have also been
recorded by Gandhi (1924). Fig grafts on Ficus religiosa, "Pipal"
(Hindi) and Ficusglomerata were made by Thirumalachar (1939 b).

( 287

APPLE
Thirumalachar ( 1939 a) and Dorasami (1939) record successful
graftings of apple on the stocks of Eriobotrya Japonica Lindl. The
following fiv varieties have been grown in the Madras Presidency
Zouche's Pippin, Irish Peach, Winterstein, Carrington and Rome
Beauty.

PINEAPPLE
AII.anas sativlls Schult. Bromcliaceae.
Notes on the cultivation of pine-apple have been given by
Johansen (1911-12), Javarayya (1915), Raghavan (1922),
Rarndas (1931), Raju (1931), Nattar (1933) and Anon., (193738). A ca~e of malformation in Ananas sativus, in the inflorescence r gion, has been recorded by Fyson (191 7).
In Assam four varieties, vi~., Spa'lish, Q,ueen, Ceylone and Giant
Kern, and in Bengal two viz., Queen and Mauritius (spineless), have
b en grown. The variety, Giant Kem, has also been reported to
flourish in Baroda.
BIBLIOGRAAHY
dllOnymous. (J 937-38). MadrM Dept. agrie., leaf-let.
Cheema, G. S. (1929). The value of Zi.r:.iphus rotundifolia, as a stock plant.
Agric. J. India, 24 : 46-47
Cbeetna, G. S. and Gandhi, S. R. (1923). The influence ofnotcbing on the
yield oCthe fig-trees. Agric. J. India, 18 : 51-504.
Chaudhuri, K. (1940). A note on the morphology and chromosome
number of Litchi ehinensis Sonner. Curro Sci., 9 : 4r6.
Dorasami, L. S. (1939). Grafting of apples on Eriobotrya Japonica Stock, Curr.
Sci., 8 : 219.
Finucane, M. (1686). AnnuaIRep.agric. Dep.B,ngal (Part II). J88S-86 :58.
Furtado, C. X. (1921). lllfluence of stock on scion. Agric.J. buiia,16 :226-227.
Fyson, P. F. (1917)' Note on a malformation of the common pine-apple,
(Ananas sativIIJ Schult.). J. and Proc. (New Series). 13 : 253.
Gammie, G. A. (1908). Annllal Rep. BMsain bolo and agric. Slat. Dept. agric.
Bombay, 1907-8 : 12.
Gandhi, S. R. (1924), Investigations in fig culture and treatment. Bombay,
Dept. agric. Bull. 'No. 117.

( 288

Howard, A. (1910). Second report on tbe Cruit Experiments at Pusa. Bull.

agric. Res. Institute, PUJa, :a:6.
Jogiraju, G. (1923). Donda Coccinia, Cephalandra irldicu. MtUlras acrie. J.,
II : 82-83.
Javarayya, H. C. (1915)' The cultivation of the apple. .~:tUlras acrie. J.,
3 : 250-256.
Johansen, W. (191I-12). Pine-apple culture in Natal. Quar. J., Dep. a,grie.
Bengal, 5 : 94-lor.
Joshi, P. G. (1921). Influence of stock on scion, Agrie. J. India,:a:6 .15-476.
Khan, A. R. (1929)' Pollination and fruit formation in Litcbi (Nepllelium
litchi Carob.). Agne. J., India, ~ : 183-187.
Khan, A. R. (1930). ~ me observations on the pollination of peaches
(PrunuJ persico Bent1. and Hook.). Agric. J. India, 25 : 492-494.
,Kumar, L. S. S. and Deodikar, G. B. (1940). Sex chromosomes of Coccinia
indica Wight. and Am. Curro Sci., 9 : 128-13'
Nattar, A. M. M. (1933). Note on the cultivati n ofpme-apple on the Lower
PaIni Hills. MtUlrasagric.J., 21 :430-435.
PAtwardhan, V. G. (1920). Gur-making from the juice of the date-palm
(Phoenix sy/uestris) in the Thanna district of the Bombay Presiriency.
Agric. J. India, 1:5 : 525-532 .
PAtel,J. S. and Narayan, G. V. (1937). Chromosome numbers in some
economic flowering plant. Curro Sci., 5 : 479
Raghavan, K . K. (1922). Note on rin _app 1to cultivation. Madras agric.
J.,IO : 250-251.
Raju, G. J. (1931). Hints on pine-apple cultivation. Madras acrie. J., 1"9 :
70-7 1
Rao, P. V. H. (1933). Mulberry cultivation in KolJegal and the Seri-cultural
industry. .Madras agrie. J., 21: : 519-525'
Ramdas, N. (1931). Note on pine-apple cultivation on the slopes of the Sirobachalam Hill. Madras aNTic. J., 19 : 68-70'
Ramakrishnan, T. S. and Cbandrasekbar, S. N. (1928). Botany of soroeuseful
plants, V. Madras agrie. J., 16 : 467-476.
ThirumaJacbar, M. J. (1939 a). Grafting of apple on Eriobolrya Japonica
Stocks. Curro Sci., 8 : 1I8.
Tbirumalacbar, M. J. (1939 h). Grafting on figs. J. Indiatl bot. Soc., 18:
21-23'

CHAPTER VII.
VEGETABLES.
Varieties of vegetables, being cultivated in India ar enormous, most of which are indig nous. Introduced vegetables
are also not few and earlier efforts in this direction were made
in the nineteenth century. *
A number of local and trade varieties of important vegetable
crops exist, but breeding and genetical literature is strikingly poor
which really stands in the way of further developments. Whatever breeding, genetical and other information is available
has been summarised in this chapter.

Solanum Linn.

BRINJAL.
S. melongena .

Solanaceae.

. Brinjal is widely cultivated practically all over India.

Partial sterility in Fl , involving a Mysorc brinjal variety as
male and four different kinds of ordinary brinjal, Solanum melongena, was reported byRao (1933) .
Sarvayya (1936) made inter-specific crosses between
S. xanthocarpum X S. melongena. F~ was partially sterile. Backcrosses with both of the parents were fairly successful, using
PI as female.
. Development of ovule and embryo-sac in Solanum melongena L.
was investigated by Bhaduri (1932 a, c);
: Observations on floral characters and fruit formation in the
egg plant have been recorded by Pal and Singh (1943).
. Apocarpy in a cultivated variety and double and quadruple
brinjal fruits have been recorded by John (1927) and Biswas
P934) respective~y .
. *Useful information has been recorded in the Proceedings of the Agri- '
cultural and Horticultural Society of India (1841 tl<:.) all r~ards the...
vegetable
which were unpo'rted into India auring those years,

,eed,

( 290 )
Aroma! (1932, 34) makes a reference to polyploidy in
S. melongtma L. Singh (1942) records a naturally occurring tetraploid brinjal (Plate X1\Z).
'
Conspicuous heterosis .was olJserved 'in some of th inter-va..getal crosses in brinjal, investigat.ed by Pal ancj. Singh (1946) and
one croSs has been selected fox: economic utilization. The
~uthors also record that two crops a year can be easily raised in
the field.
..
POTATO.
Solanum Linn.

S"tuberosum Linn.

Solanaceae.

According to Watt (1908) the first mention' of'the potato in

India occurs in Teny's account of the banquet at Aj mer, given by
Asaph Khan to Sir Thomas Roe in 1675. To-day the potato is
cultivated in all parts ofIndia both in the hills and in the plains.
References to early attempts to grow potato have been made by
Finucane (1886), Anon., (1892; 1893), Fletcher (1907) and Main
(1908, 1912).
Breeding :-Upto 1934, work on this crop mainly consisted in
the introduction and trial of imported varieties and of manurial
and other experiments. Occasionally attempt has been made to
raise new varieties from seeds but apparently without much success (Pal, 1938). Pal (1940 a) has described some of the moreirnportant varieties grown in India. Potato breeding was first taken
up when the Madras Potato Scheme and the Potato Breeding
Scheme for Northern In4ia came into operation in 1934 & 1935
respectively and the credit is due to Dr. B.P. Pal who initiated
the potato breeding work in this country. The chief prob1e~
of potato breeding in India have been discussed by Pal (1938).
The production of varieties, resistant to early blight and Jate
blight arid the'various virus diseases, is mentioned as being among
the most important of these efforts (Pal, 1939)', ' The ,work, being
Gonducted at the Pota~o Breeding Station at Simla, has been des'cribed by Pal (1940 bJ, Over 20 dilferent species are under studYJ

PLATE XIV _.\

Fig. 1. Tetraploid brinjal plant (B.v courtls.Y of ,II, Indian Society of Glllltu:S & Pl. Brt,ding
(Singh, 194Q). Indinn J. Gmti. & PI. brHd., ., No.1.)

Fil'

fl.

s.d,,,,.

Diploid brinjal plaQt (B)' rour"SJI of'At IMiIlR

qf Gt",,;u " Pl. Bt~
(Singh. J~). Indi"n J. GnN'. " Pl. Brml., ., No. I).
.

PLATE XIV-B

Fig. 3 n. h. r&d: Bud. flowrr. piuil and stamrn of Ihl" diploid brinjal plant.
Fig. 4. D, h. , & d: Bud. nowr.r. pi.til and staml"n of thl" It"traploid brinjal plant.

291

including the late blight resistant S. antipotJic~ii and S. demissum,

th'e frost-resistant S. acaule and S. curtilobum and the high-yielding
S. andigenum. The relative susceptibility to late blight of a number
of wild and cultivated varietie!l is recorded by Mundkur, Pal and
Pushkarnath (1937). S. demissum, S. antipovicdi and S. neoantipov;c~ii proved to be immune, whilst S. fendlen, S. maglia,
S. otites and S. leptostigma were highly susceptible. Other varieties showed varying degrees of resistance.
Extensive studies on different kinds of sterility in potatoes
have been in progress at Simla (Pal, 1940). At the same
station it was observed that more success was achieved in
crosses between S. demissum and 8. tuherosum when the former was
used as a female parent (Anon., 1937). Other crosses have also
been recorded, vi~., 8. antipoviczii X 8. tuherosum and (8. antipoviczii
X 8. tuberosum) X 8. tuberosum (Anon., 1937). These hybrids
also exhibited a very high degree of resistance to late blight, but
with unsatisfactory yield.
A study of physiological incompatibility was initiated in
1940 and a note recording the genetic nature of self-and crossincompatibility has been published by Pal and Pushkarnath
(1942 a) and a detailed account of the work has been prc ented
by Pushkarnath (1942). Pal and Pushkarnath (1942 b) have
also described a controlled-illumination chamber for maintaining short-day species of potatoes (Plate XV).
Pushkarnath (1943) records observations on flowering in
potato plants of 8. tuberosum and of South American species vi~.,
S. subtilius and S. Caldasii. He concludes that the reaction of a
variety to different climatic conditions is an inherited character
and he observes that" Some varieties seem to be adopted to a
very wide range of conditions and may thus flower in almost all
localities. On the other hand, however, some varieties are very
susceptible to small changes in climatic conditions and may flower
in certain localities only". According to this authQr non-flQwering

( 292

may be an .inlierited,cnanicter., at leas't in the case or certainSoutli

American I:tpecies. A.ccording to the,:numberof flowers produced,
156 plants, raised ftom the selfed seeds, were classed' into four
grades vi~" Grade I (profusely~floweringplants), Grade II (moderately flowering plants), Grade III (shy-flowering plants) &
Grade IV (Non-flowering plants) (Plates XVI &. XVII).
, 'Short accounts of cultivation of this t:r~p have 'b~en recorded
by Butcher (1923) and Bose (1912).
'
,
An ac<;ount of retent .progress in
given by Salaman .(193.9).

po~ato

breeding has been

: ' Fletc}:ler (1907) records .an a~tempt to cross the Italian potawith S, commenonii, but it proved a failure.
( A .reference to the chromosome studies in ,the genus Solanum
has 'been made by Bhaduri (1932 b).'
~oes

Pal and Pushkarnath (1938) carried out experiments to investigate the cffect1vcnt'ss of certain treatments in shortening the
r 5t period of potato tubers, They report that the most successful
treatment is by p eeling th tubers and storing them in moist saw
dust for a w ek.
"
, Other Solanum species.
" 'The significance of P'olyPloid) in the genus Solanum has been
~plp~asised by ~mal (1934) . .'
' '
'. Female gametophyte ~n Solanum nigrum' L. was , investigated
by Bhaduri (1935) ~ho observ~dregularmeiotic divisions of the
megaspore mother cells and a normal type of developm nt of
the ,r. male garnetophyte.
Ohromosom numbers of the follo",(ing spec~es were deter-,
mined by Bhaduri'(I93S):Solanum 'indicum L.
it =12.
Solanum: verbascifolium L.
n=.12.
,"
n = 12,
$o'[anum ir:ilobafum L.
c
$olflnUm torvum Swartz.
n='12:

Tl.ATE XV

I, Obliqut' vi~w of controlled-illumination chamber for l~aint"il1ing

short day sJlI'cir.s (If potatoes.

2, End-on view or controlled-illumination chamber showing cement

"POh", (By courtesy of 'FIle Indian Soci,ty of G6IWtics (JI Plant Brltding : Pal,
B. P, and PU5hkarnath, IlIdillll J. G,nt/ics (if Plallt Brtldi1lC, .: 183)

PLATE X\'l

ri ,~, I,

Fig

2.

Varictier. of S, Co/do .. ;; in

flIlWf'I',

A gt'nc,'al \'i('w,

A vigorous grade I plant from the lamily BI of 1941, in

nOWrl' ,

:<

, .......

, Fig, 3, A weak gl'ade

pbnl in Ilo\\'rr,

Fig. 4

r,

A \'igorou~ grade IV plant of the family B-1 01 1941, shnwiJ)g

hU(h whi('h dropped or. without opelling.

A clnst'r ,iew of duste" of buds from a grade IV plant of lilmily

8-1 of 19."'.
By courtesy of TM India" SON" qf G.Ml~s (if Plant Brud;ng : (Pulhkamath.
1943) Indian J. CelUl. & Pl. Brttd., ,.
Fig.

( 293 )
BIBLIOGRAPHY A.
AmmaJ, E. K. J. (1932). Polyploidy in Solanum melongma L. Proe. 19th Indian
Sci. Congress, 313.
Aromal, E. K. J. (1934)' Polyploidy in the genus Solanum.
Proe. ass.
teo. Bwl. Coimbatore, III : 50-52.

A,10l!y11l0US, (1892). Rep. Opcrajion Dep. agric: and Land Records, dlgil : 9.
Anol!ynlOus, (18g3) . Rep. OperatwlI Dep. a[;rie. and Lalld Records, ISgil"93 : 6.
,Atlon)'mous, (1937) .tIgric and animal husbandry, India, 1936-37 : 1,,4- 135
.Bhaduri, P. N. (19320). The development of ovule and embryo-sac in
Solallum melollgena. J. Indian bot. Soc., I I : 202-224.
,Bhaduri, P. N. (1932 b). Chrolllosome stability in the genus Solanum. Proc.
19th Indian Sci. eOTl/Iress, 313.
Bhaduri, P. N. (1932 c). The development of ovul and embryo-sac in
Solanum melongma L. proe. 19th. [lldian Sci. eOllgress, 313.
'Ilhaduri, P. N. (1933). Chromosome numbers of some solanaceous plants
of Bengal. J. I,uiiall bot. Soc., u. : 56-64.
Bhaduri, P. N. (1935). Studies on the female galuatophyte in Sola/Ulceae.
J. Indian bot. Soc., 1:4 : 133- 149.
Biswas, K. (1934). Observations on somt plant abnormalities in Bengal.
Curro Sci., 3 : 189- 1 93 .
Bose, J. N. (1912). Cultivation of potatoes in Khulna without irrigation
and ridges. (biar. J. Dep. agrie. Bengal,s: 33-36.
Butcher, F. H. (1923). A note on potatoes and their cultivation in outh
India. Madras agric. ]., I I : 28,-266.
Finucane, M. (1886). Annual ReJI. agr;c. Dep. Bengal, 188S-86 : 27.
Fletcher, F. (1907). .Annual Rep. DI,aru;ar agric. station, Dtp. agrie. Bombay,
1906-7 : 2 [-25.
John, C. M. (t927). Apocarpy in a cultivat d variety of Solanum melonge/la.
, . Proc. 1:4th Illdiall Sci. Congress (bot.), 216.
Maul, . T. F. (1908). Annual Rep. Dhulia agrie. Station, Dep. agrie. Bombay,
1907-8 : J3
Main, T, F. ( [912). Annual Rep. Dhoru;ar agrie. Station, Dep. agric. Bombay,
1911 - 1111 : 43-44
Mundkur, B. B., Pal, B. p, & Pushkarnath (1937). Relative susceptibility
of some wild and cultivated potato vari tics to an pidemic of late-blight
at Simla in J936. Indian J . agric. Sci., 7 : 627-32,
Pal, B. P. (1938). Problems of potato breeding in India. Agrie. Liue-slk.
India, 8 : 388-96.
Pal, B. P. (1939). Rtp. ImJierial economic botanist, ,New Dt/hi, 1938-39.
Pal, B. P. (19400). A note 011 111 varieties of potatoes grown in Inctia.
Em/I. ]. Exp. agfie.) 8 ! 80.-84.

(
Pal, B. P. (1940 b).
I : 25-28.

294 )

The Simla Potato Breeding Stalion. Indian Farming,

Pal, B. P. (194 I). Rep, Imperial economic hotanist, 1 9 <{0 : 68.

Pal, B. P. and Pushkarnath (1938). Shortening of the reSI period of the
Potalo (Solanum, tuberosum L.). Indian J. agne. Sci., 8 : 777-86.
Pal, B. P. and Pustlkarnath (1942 a). Genetic nature of self and crossincompatibility in potatoes. Nature 1<{9 : 246-47.
Pal, B. P. and Pushkarnath (1942 b). A controlled-illumination chamder
for maintaining short-day species of potatoes. Indian J. Genet. & PI.
Breed., II : 183.
Pal, B. P. and Singh, H. B. (1943). Floral characters and fruit formation
in the egg-plant. Indian J. Genet., & PI. Breed., 3 : 45-58.
Pal, B.P. and Singh, H.B. (1946). Studies in hybrid vigour, II. Notes on the
manifestation of hybrid vigour in the brinjal & bitter gourd. Indian J.
Genet. & Pl. Breed., 6 : 19-33.
Pushkarnath (1942). Studies on sterility in potatoes, I. The genetics ohelfand cross-incompatibilities. Indian J. Genet. & Pl. Breed., !l : 11-36.
Pushkarnath (1943). Studies on sterility in potatoes, II. Abnormalities
ill flowering. IndianJ. Genet. & Pl. Breed., 3 : 121-124.
Rao, T. K. (1933). Partial sterility in the first generation plants of crosses
between wide varieties of the common egg plant, Solanum melongena.
Curro Sci., II : 285-286.
Salam an, R. N. (1939). The present state and future devclopznent of potato
breeding. Proc. 25th India'i Sci. Congress. part IV (a8 ri&.) , 3.
Sarvayya, C. V . (1936). The first generation of an inter-specific cross in
Solanum, between SolaTium mekngena and Solanum xanthocarpum. Madras
agric. J., ll<i : 139-14 2
Singh, H. B. (1942). A naturally-occurring tetraploid brinjaJ. Indian J.
Genet. & Pl. Breed., II : 71-72.
Watt, G. (1908). The commercial products of India. John MUN'a)l, London.
BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
Bengal. Potato cultivation.
Bengal (196-7). Short note on potato cultivation for cultivaton.
Bengal (1906-7). Potatoes at Burdwan.
Bengal (1906-7). Potatoes in rotation with jute.
Bengal (1909-10). Potato cultivation, manuring, varieties, storing and aced
supply in Bengal.
Bengal (19 15>16). Bulletin on potato cultivation.

( 295 )
Bombay (1913). Cultivation of potatoes in the Bombay Presidency.
Bombqy (191"10). Investigations on potato cultivation in Western India.
Bombay (1924). Further investigation on potato.
Madras (19 11-12). Note on potato crop.
Madras (1930, 1930-31). Potatoes.
Madras (1937-38). A short note on potato cultivation.
Sind (1932-33). Potato cultivation in Sind.
United Provill&Is. Potato cultivation.

RED PEPPER OR CHILLIES

Capsicum Linn. Capsicum annuum L. Solanaceae.
The chillies, Capsicum annuum L., is widely grown in India,
Madras being a leading province. Its original home is South
America.
The first attempt to classify Indian chillies was made by
Shrivastava (1916) who described eleven types from the material,
collected from important centres in the Central Provinces.
Shaw and Khan (1928) classified this species into 52 types from
a collection of the material, obtained from different tracts of
India. Raghavan and Venkatasubban (1940) described a
number of varieties from South India.
Observations on the anthesis, pollination and fertilization
were made by Gopalaratnam (1933 b). The percentage of
crossing is found to be 2 to 5 by Shrivastava (1916), nearly
78 by Shaw and Khan (1928) and 7 by Gopalaratnam (1933 b).
Genetics . Deshpande (1933) has shown that purple colour
in chillies plant is controlled by two factors: Pendent condition offruit is dominant to erect and is determined by a single
factor pair; red colour of ripe fruit is dominant to orange and
the inheritance is controlled by a single factor. The fruitapex is determined by a single factor. The fruit-base character
(bulging and not bulging) and the calyx nature (enclosing or
not nc10sing fruit-base) are each determined by a single
pair of factors, the cross-over value between these two characters, being 3 percent. Fruit thickness is controlled by a single
factor pair. Short pedicel is dominant over the long One and
is inherited on a monohybrid ratio. Th author also traced a
certain amount oflinkage between the various characters. The

( 296 )
actual linkage values, however, have not been determined except
in one case, already referred to above. The genetic constitutions of the parents used, according toth author, are as follows:
*Pusa type 3 : AA DB pp RR DD FF EE.
*Pusa type 29: aa bb PP rr dd ffee.
F 1 : Aa Bb Pp Rr Del Ff Ee:

~.

A-A factor which produces purple colour in all plant organs. If it is

absent, the stem, leaf and fruit remain green, petals and filaments,
white, style pale purple or white, sti!:,'lna yellow and antbers
, bluish-yellow.
B-A factor which in the presence of A intensifies purple colour but is
inert by itself.
Both A and B, when homozygous, have double the effect; but the
effect of two doses of B is less than one of A.
p -A factor which causes the fruit to be penden t, in absence of which
the fruit remains erect.
R-A factor which produces redness in ripe fruit and Be d, in absence of
which, these remain yellow or orange.
D-A factor which causes the fruit-apex to be blunt. When D is heterOzygous, the apex is partially pointed. If D is abscJ?t the apex
remains pointed.
F-A factor which caUl,eIl the bulging of the fruit base. If F i~ absent,
the base remains unbulged.
'E-A factor which prevents the ealyx from enclosing thc.-fruit-baa . When
E is absent the base J'emains enclosed.

Deshpande (1935) also studied the inheritance of pungency

and non-pungency in chillies and observed a single factor pair
CC controlling it, the former being dominant. It was also
studied: by Ramiah -and- Pillai (1935) who showed that die
pungency and the calyx characters are not linked.
Deshpande (1939 a, c) further noted that the manifestation
of purple colour in any organ of the plant is controlled by the
presence of a factor S. Yellow anthers are recessive to the
yellowish purple and d ep purple anthers, the inheritance
being controlled by a single factor pair. The segregation of
anther and node colour in relation to petal colour is observed
~m a trihybrid ratio, 36:12:16. The same author (Desh. -Now known as N. P. 3 and N. P. 29.

297

pande;1939 b) ~lso observea varIegation in .Capsicum armullm L.

An interspecific cross in chilli, C. annuum. xC jrutescens,
was ' made at Pusa for studying the inheritance of flow rcolour, colour of fruit, fruit position and number of p dicels
(Anon., 1937).
Cytology. Somatic and meiotic chromosomes were
studied by Dixit (1931), Banerji (1932) & R aghavan and
Venkatasubban(1940) who observed 2n = 24 andn = 12. Banerji
(1932) also recordsn=12 for C. frutescens.
Mutations. An asynaptic mutant in chilli has been
record d by Pal (1939). A chilli plant with variegated branches
on one side and normal green branches on the other has also
been recorded by the same author (pal, 1939). The progenies
from the former proved themselves to be seedling lethals,
whereas from the latter all green. The progenies of the reciprocal crosses were ,green, indicating that th variegated character
is recessive to green.
Pal and Ramanujam (1940) observed a chilli plant which
formed only a few ill-developed pods .with 2 to 3 seeds in each,
in spite 'of profuse flow ring'. At meiosis it show d almost
complete lack of pairing, forming 24 univalents in most of the
poll n root her cells. Occasionally, how vcr, a bivalent could
be seen in some cells. A few se ds, obtained by open pollination, gave rise to ten plants of which two proved to be triplaids, two trisomics and six diploids. Pairing of chromosomes'
at meiosis was normal in the diploids which showed normal
fruiting and setting of seeds. The triploids were bigger
than the diploids in size and had about 80 percent. sterile
pollen, and fruiting was scarc. Meiosis showed varying
number of trivalents, bivalents and univalents. The two
trisoroics, each with 2n=25, showed 30-40 p rcent. sterile
pollen, but form d a good number of fruits with seeds. It is
believed that they are two different primary trisomies, each
containing a different chromosome of the haploid set as an
extra in it.

298

Pal, Ramanujam & Joshi (1941) record triploid and tetra

ploid plants of chilli (Plates XVIII & XIX.)
Raghavan and Venkatasubban (1940) exposed the seeds of
a pure line to X-ray.s and mutants were detected in Xl and
XI generations. A semi-sterile mutant of the XI generation
exhibited asynapsis, cytomixis andchromosome ring formation.
T~traploids, one tripl~id and a few pollen lethal mutations without change in the chromosome number, were induced
in chillies by the colchicine treatment (Pal, 1939).
Other ObservatioDs. The root system studies were
made by Ali Mohammad and Deshpande (1929). The following five kinds were distinguished:Deep tap root-system.
Shallow tap root-system.
Extremely vigorous .fibrous root-system.
Moderately vigorous fibrous root-system.
Shallow fibrous root-system.
No correlation between the time of maturity and the roothabit, or the shoot growth was noticed.
A short account of its cultivation is given by Gopalaratnam
(1933 a).
BIBUOGRAPHY.
Ali Mohammad and Dcsbpande, R. B. (1929)' Studies in Indian chillies (2).
The root-sYfitem. AgTic. J. India, 1&4 : 251-258.
Anonymous, (1937). Agrie. and Animal Husbandry, India, 1936'37 : 203
Banerji, A. R. (1932). Cytology of Capsicum. Proc. igth Indian Sci. COrvJrm,
3 1 5- 16
Deshpande. R. B. (1933)' Studies in Indian Chillies (3). ' The inheritance
of some characters in Capsicum annuum L. Indian J. agric. Sci., 3 :
21g-3 00
Deshpande, R. B. (1935)' Studies in Indian Chillies (4). Inheritance of
pungency in Capsicum annuum. Indian J. acrie. Sci., 5 : 5 1 3-,516.
Deshpande, R. B. (1939 (1). Studies in Indian Chillies (5)' Inheritance oC
anther colour and its relation to colour in petal and node in Capsicum
IInnuum L. Indian J. acrie. Sci., !it : 185-192.

l'L,.\ TE XVII,

_,. ,.---

....

4
5
Photographs of chillies :
I. Control.
1t,3, .. & 5 Tetraploids (note the variability).
(By courtesy of Tilt l"di41l Sod'(y qf Gmlties (JI PlanJ Brtrt/inl : Pal,
aamanuja,rn &t Joshi, 19.1).

PLATE XIX

Pbotographs of Chilli fruiu (undiuccted and dissected longitudinally) and seeds In

I. Triploid.
By courtely of the Illtlitllt Socj,.~ of G,.t;u eI PltIJt/ B",dirv.
I. Diploid.
(Pal, Ilamanujam &: Joshi, 194 1 \.
3' Tetraploib.
81 PltJlfl BTHd.,

' ' "' '.1. a-,.

.M.

299 )

Deshpande. R . B. (1939 b). A case of variegation in CaPJ~um anrlUum L. Curr.

Sci., 8 : 3 ' 3-3 ' 4'
Desbpande, R. B. (1939 c). Colour inheritance studies in Indian chillies
(Capsicum almuwn L ). Proc. lt5th Indian Sci. COllgress, 214.
Dixit, P . D. (1931). A cytological study of Capsicum annuum. Indian J. agrie.
Sci., I : 419-433.
Gopalaratnam, P. (1933 a). Cultivation of chillies il)Gunturdistrlct. Madras
agrie. J ., ltl ; 7-15.
Gopalaratnam, P. (1933 b). Studies in Capsicum. Madras agrie. J., ltl : 493-5 0 9.
Pal, B. P, ( 1939). Rep. Imperial economic botanist, New Delhi, 1938-39.
Pal, B. P. and Ramanujam, S. (1940). Asynapsis in chilli (Capsicum annuum
L.). Curro Sci., 9 ; '26-28.
Pal, B.P., Ramanujam, S. and Joshi, (1941). IndianJ. GlTlet. & Pl. Breed., 1941 .
Raghavan, T. S. and Venkalasubban, K. R. (1940). Studies in Ihe South
Indian chillies. Proc. Indian Aca. Sci., u-B: 29-46.
Ramiah, K. and PilIai, M. R. (1935) ' l'ungency in chillies (Capsicum allllt.llU7l)
a mendelian character. CUff'. Sci., of ; 236-237.
Shaw, F. J. S. and Khan, A. R . (19118). Studies in Indian chillies, (1). The
types of Capsic11m annuum. Mem. Dept., Agric. India (Bot. Ser.) . 6 ; 59-SII.
Shrivastava, K. P. (1 916). An account of the Genus Capsiwm grown in the
Central ProvInces and Berar. Dept. Agrie. Central Provinces and Berar,
Bull. No. 5 : I-liS.

OTHER VEGETABLE CROPS

Colocasio anliquorum Schott. Araceae.
It is a root crop which grows in a greater part of tropical
India. Leaves of some varieties are also used as a vegetable.
Locally it is known as Guufya. Observations on pollination in
this plant have been recorded by Cleghorn (1913).

Moringa. Moringaceae.
There are two species of Moringa, viz., M . pterygosperma Gaertn.
and M. oleifera Lamk., being grown in this country for green
fruits which are used as a vegetable. The plants are known
by different names: Munaga (Central Provinces, Madras)
Soonja (United Provinces) and Sajna (Assam).
Haploid chromosome number in M. pterygosperma is reported
to be l4 (Patel and Narayana, 1937) and diploid number in
M. oleifera to be 28+2 fragments (Patel and Narayana, 1938).

~oo

. Vishwambhat Puri (1934) records observations on the embryosac and embryo of M. oleifera.

Cucumis sativus (Cucumber). Cucurbitaceae.

Rao (1932) records that there exist many local varieties,
differing in colour and size and of them the two viz., (1) the
variety with stout and long fruits, & (2) the variety with short
fruits, are common.
All account of its cultivation is given by Rao (12_l8) .
Hibiscus esculmtus Linn. , (the Lady's finger). Malvaceae.
It is cultivated all over India for its much relished unripe
fruit which is used as a vegetable. A type of fibre is also extracted from the stem of this plant. Botanically it has been
described by Ghandrasekharan and Ramakrishnan (1929).
Inheritance of petal-base colour, has been worked out by
Richharia (1949) and it has been shown that pink petal-base
differs from yellow petal-base (outer side) by a single factor,
pink-base being dominant.
Trichosanthes species Roxb. Cucurbitaceae.
Trichosanthes dioica is extensively cultivated in Bengal for
jts fruits. The plant is dioecious and its propagation i$ done
by, root cutting.
Das (1933), Banerji and Das U937) record *e chromosome
number to be 22 (2n) in plants of both the sexes. The chromosomes of the female plant are . slightly: bigger than those
df the male. Intergeneric cross between Momordica clUlri:mtia
land Trichos(1nthes anguina was made oy Patrudu and Murti
{1934), also referred to later at page 301.
,', An account of its cultivation is given by Aiyar (1915).
Raphanus sativus (Radish).

Gruciferae.

, Meiosis in Indian radish was worked out by Sutaria (1930)

~ho observed at diakinesis nine bivalents. This was confirmed

PLATE XX

F.

~.

An intergeneric eros! in Cucurbit.eeae, MommJica charan,ja X r,ichosanth,s

Gllguina. (By courtesy of Currlnl Sci'ncl Vol. : Patrudu and Murti, (934)'

( 301
by Richharia (1937). The same author (Richharia, 1937)
also studied Fl and F t hybrids between Brassica_ carinata and
Rapharws sativu.s. (For details, see at page 105).
..:
Cucurbila maxima. Cucurbitaceae.
Chromosome number i,n Cucurbita maxima was determined
by Rau (1929) to be 2n=24.* The chromosomes are small
and of different sizes , and shapes. A list of chromosome
numbers in a number of cultivat~d and wild cucurbits has been_
presented by Sutaria (1936).

Momordica spp. Cucurbitaceae.

Interg neric cross b etween bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)
and s~ake gourd (Tl'ichosanthes anguina) was mad by Patrudu
and Murti (1934). About 50% of the pollinated flowers sef
fruits. The Fl was fully fer tile and the floral and vegetativ~
C:haracters of the bitter gourd appeared dominant. In Fa
various combinations were obS'erved-gradations in form, size
and taste of the fruit (Plate XX).
Pal and Singh (1946) observed. striking hybrid vigour in the
inter-varietal 'crosses in bitter gourd. Meiosis in M. dioica was
studied by Richharia and Ghosh (1953), recording n=14. One
of the bivalents was observed to be heteromorphic in some
of the well spread J-metaphase plate in side-views.
Ipomoea batatas (Sweet potato).
Two varieties are recorded: one with purple flowers and
the oth r with white flowers, (Finucane, 1886). A few varieties
were also isolated at the Imperia-l Institute of Agricultural
.
Research at Pusa (now at New -Delhi).
Investigations have been carried out at Trivendrum
the direction of inter-varietal and
(Travancore-Cochin)

in

-According to Castette - E. F, (A./Illr. Jour. Bot., 13 : 1-10; 1926) and

Passmore, S. F. (Bot. GII(., go : 213-223; 1930), the chromosome number
in Cucurbita m~ima is 40 (2n).
. ,.:.
, ..
~ .-. .. .!:~

( 302 )
inter-specific hybridization (Abraham, 1951). He records 2n-90
in I. batatas. Richharia and Ghosh (1954), working in Bihar,
record the findings of their investigations on the breeding of
sweet potato as follows:
In order to improve the sweet potato crop in Bihar, breed
ing investigations have been carried out by raising seedlings.
Varieties of different origin obtained from different sources
were u ed in these investigations viz., 23 varieties obtained
from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi,
14 varieties of American origin obtained from Almora and
13 local varieties. On the whole, seed setting was poor. In
all 39 seedlings were raised from different varieties and four
crossed seedlings (Ll X Rangar) were raised and detailed studies
of seedlings raised have been made showing distinct s gregation for incision of lamina: cordate: palmate; Petiole, node and
internode colour: Pink: colourless; Hair on vine: Hairy ; non -hairy;
Root colour: Pink : white. No conclusions, however, have been
drawn in respect of their inheritance in view of the limited
population at present.
Observations on the floral biology in sweet potato and its
flowering have been recorded by Chatterjee and Nagbiswas
(1952).
ONION.
Allium Linn. A. cepa Linn. Liliaceae.
Selection work on this crop has been carried out at Hagari,
Madras (Garu, 1935). Vijiaraghavan and Iyengar (1937)
observed that selfing in onion plant is injurious to seed
setting and other characters. The authors recommend that
the seeds should be collected from the earlier heads in the
varieties producing two flushes.
The Portuguese onions were tried at the Mirpur Khas
Agricultural Station, Bombay Presidency, but they did not
grow bigger than the local varieties (Henderson, 1913-14).
The extent of cross fertilization was found to be 90% at
Hagari in Madras, (Garu, 1935).

( 303

Short accounts of its cultivation have been recorded by

Sat.yanarayana (1929), Chetti (1930) and a few others.
Luffa species Mill. Cucurbitaceae.
M >iosis in Luffa aegyptiaca was studied by Asana and
Sutaria (1929,32) who observed thirteen bivaJents at I-m taphase. The nucleolus at diplotene shows a papilla-like outgrowth and at late diakinesis'it is of a peculiar triangular shape
with three bud-like projections to which some of the bivalents
are attached with delicate fibres. Chromosome pairing is
of the parasynaptic type.
Genetical investigations in Luffa actLtangula have been carried
out by different authors as follows;

Characters

Inheritance

I References

Monoecious: Hermaph- monoecious two pairs of Richharia

factors
(1948 b, 52)
rodite (sex condition)
Singh, Ramanujam& Pal
(1948) ;
One pair of Richharia
Dark blue node: Pure
Blue
factors NN (1949,52)
green node

1:

Thickly pitted seed surPitted

One pair of Richharia
face: smooth seed surfactors PP (1949,52)
face.
------------~-----No linkage was observed between
N and P . Richharia (1952)
further observes that from the studies of Fa population (raised
from the female Fe plants by open pollination), it has been
concluded that fruit production can be increased by 5'6 times,
if crops are grown from the seeds collected even by open
pollination, from female plants. Fruit production can be further
increased by eliminating the monoecious plants at the seedling
stage.
Inter-specific hybridization between I.. tugyptiaca (L, cylindriGa)
and L. acutangula has been carri d out by Richharia (1948 a)
& Pathak and Singh (1949).

( 304 ' )

Mushroom.
McRae (1910) described some edible mushroom, ' Agarictls campestris. He observed a considerable amount of varia~on in the colour and thickness of both cultivated and wild
types.
Bose (1921) emphasised the possibility of mushroom industry
in India. He identified the following edible varieties in Bengal;'

Volvaria tcrastius B & Br.

Lepiota albuminosa Berk.
Lepiota mastoides Fr.
Agarictls campestris Linn.
Gasteromycetes.
Munshi (1939) pointed out a great possibility of introducing
the cultivation of mushroom in the Oo ty and Mahableshwar
vegetable gardens.

AmorplwphaUus companulatus BL.

The following thr e varieties of yam, AmorpllOphallus co~
panulatus BL., vi-t., yam (cr eper), tree yam 'and ,e lephant
yam, and a brief account of its cultivation have be,en recorded
in the Madras Agricultural Joutnal (1919), 7 ~ 216-217.
Chromosome number is reported to be '28 (2n) .
,
, ~

Lycopersicom esculentum (Tomato).

Solanaceae.

Several varieties of tomatoes have been grown in India

which show great variation in the size, shape and colour of
ftuits, thickness of the skin, flavour and juiciness in the pulp.
Rao (1924), Raghavan (1933) and Chowdhary (1939) l' cord
shon aCC011nts of cultivation of 'this crop in different localities.
In order to transfer useful char~cters of L. pimpinellijqlium, a wild species, commonly ' kI\owri as currant
tomato, to the cultivated tomato, the cross L. eSctllentum X
' L. pimpi,lellifolium, was studjed. .Dr.' ,Pal ' a~d Srngb (1943).

PLATE XXI
j

Fig. I
Fig. :z
"'ig3
Fig ....

A cJustrr of fruih of L. nClllmtllln.

of L. pimpinrllifolillm
.,
..
..
of Ft h."brid.
The uest cluster of a plant, of the first back.cross.

Fig. 5 : An Fa plant showing profule branching, thin slender branches and large
number of Imall.fruited clusten (mOlt of the leaves on this plant have been
clipped off to show the fruits more clearly). (B)' cOllrtes), 0/ tn, lndum Soci,~
of c;,,,,tics & Pl. Bretding (Pal & Singh, 1943). lnditln J. Genlt. & Pl. Brttd., lS,

No.2.

305

Fv FI & Fa> generations and bacK-cross progenies were

The Fl exhibited marked heterosis and was
studied.
earlier than the early parent (L. pimpinellifolium). In other
generations the small fruit size of the wild parent was partially dominant and that earliness tended to be associated
with small fruit si~e. The characters for which selection has
been made include earliness, a large number of clusters pet
plant, a large number of fruits per cluster, smooth-skinned
non-cracking fruits free from green stem end, bright skin colout
and good flavour. (Plate XXI).
In a strain of tomato, Bhaduri (1933) obs rved a new
type offertilization which was first reported by Ferguson (1927),
i. e., instead of the Whole endosperm being triploid, a part of
it was diploid. This is due to the premature division of the
primary endosperm nucleus before t~e discharge of the sperms
from the pollen tube, forming a small micropylar and a big
chalazal endosperm nucleus. Later on one sperm fuses with
the egg and the other with the micro-pylar endosperm nucleus
which would give rise to triploid endosperm tissue while the
chalazal nucleus forms a diploid endosperm tissue.

Brassica oleracea L.
Cruciferae.
Brassica oleracea L. coxnprises a number of forms which are
used as vegetable viz., cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel's sprout
& knol-khol. Of them cauliflower is perhaps the most esteemed of the varied forms of vegetables which have sprung
from this species. Cabbage and cauliflower have been grown
_p ractically all over India from the acclimatized 3S wen as
freshly imported seeds.
Singh (1929) records 'that the flower h ads of cauliflower can be kept in good condition for a longer time, if the
plants are transplanted to a different site, when the flowerheads are coming up, after removing some leaves.

306

In the progeny of Brassica napus, albinatic plants have been

recorded by Sabnis (1938).
BmLlOGRAP~ .

Abraham, A. (1951). Rep. on the combined scheme of research on

tapioca and sweet-potato. Gove. of Travancore-Coe/iin, Trivandrum, 1951.
Aiyar, K. S. (1915)' Snake gourd cultivation in
agric. J., 3 : 301 -302 .

Periyar tract. MadraJ

Asana, J. J. and Sutaria. R. N. (19 2 9). Chromosome numbers in cllcurbitaceae and other plants. Proe. 16th Indian Sci. Congress, 250.
Asana, J. J. and Sutaria, R. N . (1932 ). Microsporogenesis in Lrif.fa aegypliaea
Mill. J. Indian bot. Sor., I I : 181-187.
Banerji, I. and Das, M. C. (1937). The development of the microspol'es
in Tric/iOsantlies dioica Roxb. Indian J. agrie. Sci., 7 : 497-510.
Bhaduri, P. N. (1933). A note on the new type of fertilization in plants.
Curro Sci., 1I : 95-96,
Bose, S. R. (19'21). Possibilities of mushroom industry in India by cultivation. Agrie. J. India, 16 : 643-647.
Chandrasekharan, S. N. and Ramakrishnan, T. S. (1929)' Botany of some
useful plants-VI. Madras agric. J., 17 : 7-16.
Chatterjee, D. and Nagbiswas, S. C. (1952). Observations on the floral
biology of sweet-potato. J. Indian bol. Soc., 31 : 352-357.
Chctti, M. G. (1930). Bellaryonions. Madras agrie. J., 18 : 247-248.
Chowdhary, S. P. (1939) . Tomato and its cultivation. Poona aerie. Coil.
Mag., 30 (No. 4): 180-82.
Cleghorn, M. L. (1913). Notes on the pollination of Colo~asia oliliquorum.
J. & PrOt. Anal. soc. Bengal (n~w ser.), 9 : 313-315.
DlI3, M. C. (1933). Chromosome number and development of embryo-sac in
Trichosalillies dioica Roxb. Proe. 20th Ilidian Sci. Congress (Bot.), 313.
Finucane, M. (18136). Annual Rep. agrie. Dep. Bengal, 1885-86 : part 11:67
Garu, D. A. R. (1935). Rep. operations Dep. agne. Madras Presilkncy, 1934-35 :15,
Hendel'SOn, G. S. (1913- 14) . Annual Rep. Mirpur Khas agrie. Stat. Dep. agne.
Bombay, 191 3- 1 4 : 9.
McRae, W. (1910). The edible mushroom: Agaricus camptslris Linn. Agric.
. J. India, S : 197-204.
Munshi, R. A. (1939). Mushroom cultivation encouraged in Japan. Poona
. agrie. Coli. Mag ., 30 (No.2): 47-49.
Pal, B. P . and Singh, H. D. (1943). A note on the economic possibilities
of the cross, Lyr.opersieon lseu/mtum xL. pimpinellifolium. Indian J. Geflli. &
Pl. Bretd., , : 115-120.

307

Pal, B. P . and Singh, H. B. (1946). Studies in hybrid vigour II Notes

on th e manifestation of hybrid vigour in the brinjal and bitter gourd.
Indian J. Genet. & Pl. Breed., 6 : 19-33'
Patel,.]. S. and Narayana, G. V. (1937) Chromosome numbers in some
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Pathak, G. N. and Singh, S. N. (1949). Studies in the Genus Luffa I.
Cytogenetic inve~tigations in the interspecific hybrid. L. Cyiindrica X L.
acutangula. Indian J. Gmet. & Pl. Breed., 9 : 18-26.
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112, IIG .
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275-276.
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359.
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ROll.b. Curro Sci., 1111 : 17-11l.
Richbaria, R . H. and Ghosh. A. N. (1954)' Investtgations on the breeding
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I, :

I, :

(. 308 )
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,Satyanarayana, M. (1929) Bellary Onions. Madras agrie. J., 17 : 1l1-"7.
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and wild cucurbits of Gujarat. J. University of Bombay, 4 : 21-26
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Moringa oleiftra Lamk. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci., I-B ; 279-282.

CHAPTER VIII.
SUGAR CROP.
SlIgarc:aae

Saccharum Linn. Gramineae.

"Among the many products of civilization that India has
given to the world, the cultivation of sugarcane with the manufacture of sugar and allied products, from its juice is one of the
most important," (Sarkar, 1938). India perhaps is the original
heme of this plant, but there exists some difference of opinion
on the subject, and it is believed that it originated in differen.t
parts of the world. In any case it is d'efinire that its cultivation,
as a field crop of economic value, was first started in In.dia-in
certain tracts of. Bihar. Deerr (19:30) remarks that some time
ptior to the y ar 600 of the Christian era the sugarcane travelled!
westwards from India, and through Arabic influence became
fivmly established in. the Mediterranean litloral as early as 800
A. D. Although as early as 400 B. C. the Indian writings of
Ckaraka ana Susrnta mention as many as twelve varieties of
sug<wcane then recogniZ' d in India, it seems certain that onl~
Olle variety escaped hence and this was upto 1780 the only one
known in the western Hemisphere.
The genus Saccharum comprises the cultivated sugarcane
grown in different countries. The following four species are
considered to be the original stock:S. officinarum Linn.

S. barheri Jesw.
S. sinense R.oxb.
9. spontaneum 1.inn.
Among the important centrelt where the breeding of sugarcane is being catTied- out in this country, Coimbatore occupies
the most important place. Several thousand acres have come
UDder the canCIJ knowxr as' the Coimliatore canes evolved. at thilf

( 310 )
station. The entire credit for successfully introducing these canes
under cultivation goes to Sir T. S. Venkatraman at Coimbatore.
The work was first started by Barber in 1912 and was conunenced
with selection, followed by intervarietal and interspecific hybridization. Earlier attempts were chiefly confined to the determination of factors controlling the seed production and hybridization. Wild forms have been constantly used in these hybridization experiments. In more recent years the intergeneric crosses,
with a view to evolve vigorous and early maturing forms,
have been brought about by Sir T. S. Venkatraman and his
associates.
Classification and breeding. "The breeding of sugarcane
differs in certain essential respects from that of most other crops.
For one thing the growing of plants from seed does not, with
most others, offer any special difficulty. It is not so, however,
with the cane. Certain varieties do not flower at all, others are
infertile in one or both of the essential organs and the young
seedlings are generally rather delicate in the early stages and need
considerable care to nurse them to maturity. Secondly, in the
canes, the plants from seeds, do not resemble one another or
either of the parents, even when precautions are taken against
chance hybridization in the field. Thirdly, the inheritance of
characters in the cane has not yet been traced to any well defined
laws, which places the breeding of canes in a class by itself.
The cane-breeder is wholly unable to know beforehand what kind
of seedlings to e>..-pect from a particular combination and,
in the present state of knowledge, has largely to depend upon
increasing the chances of obtaining the desired combination by
growing a very large population," (Venkatraman, 1928). Barber
(1915 a, b; 16 a, b, Cj 17a, b) records observations on the classification ofIndian canes. According to him (Barber, 1916 h) the
indigenous Indian canes can be grouped, on their morphological
characters, into five different classes, viz., Mungo, Saretha,
Sunnabib, Pansahi and Nargori . . Some distinguishing characters
of sugarcane grown at Sabour were described by Woodhouse,

( 311

Basu and Taylor (1915). They classified the material into

eight groups. The pure line culture method was for the first
time followed in the improvement of sugarcane in India by these
authors. From the chemical point of view the canes were grouped into the following four kinds:1.
2.
3.
4.

Late ripening, medium fibre, low extraction factor.

Early ripening, medium fibre, high extraction factor.
Early, ripening, high fibre, high extraction factor.
Medium early ripening, medium fibre, high extraction
factor.

The forms of Saccharum spontaneum grown at Coimbatore for a

number of years under uniform conditions were classified by Panje
(1933) basing his classification on the vegetative characters.
Venkatraman (1936) refers to over twenty different types being
maintained at Coimbatore which represent all possible forms
available in India.
Dutt, Hussainy and Krishnaswami (1936) record that Coimbatore sugarcane varieties containing Saccharum spontaneum blood
are generally resistant to the mosaic disease. The positive correlation between the high number of bristles and disease resistance has not always been noted, neither always the protection to
the stomata by the bristles. Krishnaswamy (1936) also concludes
that canes containing Saccharum spontaneum blood show resistance
to mosaic to a greater extent than others. He did not observe
any morphological differences between the resistant and susceptible varieties.
Breeding investigations and general observations on the
sugarcane crop in different provinces have been made by a
number of authors as shown be1ow:Localities.
Coimbatore (Madras)

Authors.
Barber (1912 b); Venkatraman
and Rao (1928); Venkatraman
(1920); Venkatraman and Thomas (1931),

( 3~2: )
' U~e<l

Clarke, Hus,s~ and Banerjee

(1922)
Punjab,
Lander and Narain (1939) ;
Venkatraman (1927); Anon.
(1938 a).
Woodhouse
Taylor (19.11-12);
Bengal.
(1911-1,2).
Bihar and Orissa.
Sethi ~nd Khanna (1935).
Khanna (1937).
North Bihar.
Venkatraman (1920).
North India.
Accounts on the recent advances in sugarcane breeding have
been given by Deerr; (1930 a, b), Dutt (1934), Venkatraman
(1938 a, b). Khanna and Venkatraman (1930) suggested methods
of studying sugarcanes for breeding investigations:
Breeding work on sugarcane has been carried out at a number
of centres in India under schemes subsidized by the Imperial
Council of Agricultural Research and valuabl information is
available in the Progress rctports of these schemes. No attempt
has been made to summarise this work.
Provinces.

Inter-varietal and inter-specific hybridization. Sugarcane flowers are small, floral structures delicate and bagging
inhibits seed setting. The hybridization work, therefore, is
comparatively difficult. Venkatraman (1925 a) mentions certain difficulties in carrying out investigations on inheritance of
characters in sugarcane as follows;(a) Special care is needed to grow canes from seed; as
already mentioend, the usual method of propagation
is from cuttings. .
(h) The oocurrence_of gr~at variations among seedlings qf
the same parent, even when precautions are t~en
against foreign pollination. This throws doubt on
the purity of the varieties employed.
(c) The uncertainty in the matter of percentage of most
batches of even artificially raised seedlings, resulting
from the inability to employ either emasculation or

31~

bagging in ClUle breeding operations. The minute~

ness and delicacy of the floral structures in the sugarcane render emasculation both difficult and lab~
rjpus; the bagging of the flowers agajnst unintended
pollen has been found to exert an adverse influence
on the seed setting of the enclosed arrows.
(d) A thorough knowledge of the mode of inheritance
axlcl segregation of characters requires a continuous
study of more than one generation from seed; this is
often impossible in the cane, either on a.ccount of
the non-flowering of the hybrids or the infertility of
the flowers, when the hybrids do flower.
The author also records in this paper definite evidence, indicating inheritance of the following characters:
(a) General characters of the plants in the field.
(b) Certain morphological. characters of th.e leaf and can.
(c) Physiological and habit characters of the root.
(d) Cw.u:acters of the juice.
(e) Susceptibility to smut.
In an earlier publication Venkatraman (1917) suggests three
different methods found useful in the crossing techniqp.e.
Sugarcanes -qnder cultivation are mostly polyploids and Sac.charum officinarum is octoploid. As a rule, there is very little "inbreeding" in this crop, although there has been some indication of

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J. 213 has fair habit, but it gav.e no selfed seodlings because

of infertility of its own pollen.
Aromal (193 7 b) observed a local Coimbatore form and a
De.hra Dun form of S.,sponttl.11.eum to be heterozygous for the sprawling habit which is inherited in a simple ;monohybrid ratio.
Aromal (1937 c) observed in the selfed seedlings of Co. 205
(Vellai X Saccharum spo'itaneum) and its back-cross with S. spontaneum, the habit character which is inherited as adominantcharacter in interspecific Saccharum hybrids, to be segregating approximately in the ratio of 35: 1 in F 2 and 5: 1 in back-crosses with the
recessive parent . .
Stuart (191 7) records that attempts were made in Madras to
cross sugarcane varieties with varietieso()f the wild grass, Saccharum spontaneum, whicll is regarded as the form, from which the
cultivated sl:lgarcane originated.
Crosses between two wild species of Saccharum, viz., Saccharum
spontaneum and Saccharum robustum, and cultivated canes, especially
involving the species Saccharum spontancum, have yielded some of
the most popular Coimbatore canes. Thus Saccharum sponta,leum
is an important form for hybridization experiments. Re'llizing
its importance, Venkatraman (1936) started a systematic study of
the Indian type of Saccharum spontaneum and made a systematic
collection of the forms available in India. Over twenty different
types have been maintained at Coimbatore. The juice analysis
'shows that some of these canes obtained from Bihar possess juice
qualities equal to some of the Indian canes. With a view to
iinduce frost resistant strains, crosses may be attempted between
some forms of Saccharum spontaneum obtained from Soviet Russia
'which grow under v ry lo~ temperatures (VenkatramanJ 1936).
The improved strains have been tried all Over India under
different conditions. SOine of them have proved very successful and large acreage has been brought under these improved
canes.
Intergeneric 'hybridization.-The following intergene. ric; ~rosses ha,!c? been "ch~eved at Coi;mbatore:-

318 )

1. Sugarcane X Jowar.
II. Sugarcane X Bamboo.
III. Sugarcane X Maize.
1. Sugarcane X Jowar. With a view to shorten the growth
period of the cane, Venkatraman (1930 a) started crossing sugarcane with different millets. He succeeded in achieving sugarcane
X Sorghum cross. Some of the hybrids reached maturity in five
months with 16 to 18% of sucrose. But they suffered from
low vigour. A number of papers have appeared on this subject,
as shown below ;Venkatraman and Thomas (1932), record a successful intergeneric hybrid between Saccharum and Sorl(hum. The Saccharum
used was P. O. J. 2725, a noble cane from Java with a complex
heredity. It possesses nearly 106 chromosomes.
Aromal and Singh (1936 b) made a cross between a form
from Dehra Dun, 2n=56 and Sorghum durra 2n=20 (periamanjalof
Coimbatore), the same parent used by Venkatraman (1930 a).
The F} with 2n=38 arrowed five months after germination. It
was completely pollen-sterile.
Some early characters in sugarcane X jowar hybrids, such
as the shape of first leaf, occurrence of albinos, water req uirements, etc., were described by Venkatraman (1934). Fl showed
a general dominance of Saccharum characters which persist even
after twice back-crossing the hybrids with Sorghum parent
(Venkatraman, 1938 a, b). Some of the hybrids also exhibited
characters, not found in the parents. Abnormalities in stem,
bud, leaf and floral organs wt!re also observed in such hybrids
(Venkatraman, 1938 a, b).
The following parents we,'e employed at Coimbatore during
1932-33. '"
Saccharum.
Sorghum.
P. O. J. 2725.
Sorghum durra Stapf.
Sorghum guineense Stapf.
P. O. J. 213.
Co. 213.

"

"

SdenJijic Reporl,Implriallnslitutl of Agricultural Rlsfarch, Pusa, 19311"33 : 96.

Co.

221.

319

Sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum

cernuum Host.
halepense Pers.
verticilliflonlm Stapf.
sudanense Stapf.

Sorghum halepense has been successfully crossed with Saccharum with a view to produce canes useful as fodder (1938).
"F1 hybrids, between P. O. J. 2725 and Sorghum durra Stapf.,
crossed with the Sorghum male parent, yielded a rather interesting series. Besides plants which showed very obvious traces
of the Sorghum parent, the series included certain peculiar types
which showed rather continuous flowering and thick coriaceous
leaves very dissimilar to those of either Saccharum or Sorghum." t
Chromosome number in Saccharum '< Sorghum hybrids which
resembled more the sugarcane was determined by Singh (1934a)
and a doubling of chromosomes on the female side was observed.
Chromosome number in types which showed more Sorghum
characters was also determined by the same author (1934 b).
No doubling on the mother side was noticed.
One of the
hybrids (which showed no doubling) was back-crossed with
Sorghum and the resultant hybrids which showed a closer
resemblance to Sorghum in exlernal morphology than the F.
possessed two sets of Sorghum chromosomes. Anunal (1939 b)
observed 12 out of 13 hybrids between S. spontaneum (2n = 56)
and Sorghum durra (2n=20), possessing 2n = 38, and a single
triploid hybrids (2 sets of spontaneum and one set of Sorghum)
possessing 2n=66.
II. Sugarcane X Bamboo. Chiefly with a view to introduce greater vigour, attempts were made at Coimbatore to
hybridize sugarcane with bamboo, for a number of years.
It was achieved in December, 1936 (Venkatraman, 1937,38 a, b).
Fl shows general dominance of sugarcane characters and a wide
range of variation and certain abnormalities were noticed.
Further observations on Fl and F I have been recorded in
Scientific Report, Imperial Agricultural Research Institute, New D,lhi, ",s. 71.
tScimtifia Reports, ImP"jallnstitute oj Agrkultural Rlsearch, Pusa, 1933-" : 100.

320

the Scientific Reports of Imperial Agricultural Research Insti,tute,

New Delhi, 1938 at Pages 75-78. Results of economic value have
been realised, such as the very marked tillering power, tall and
straight growth etc.
'
Bhagavathi. Kutty Amma and Ekambaram (1940) also
studied the cross between sugat'lCane and bamboo and observed
in tihe hybrid that the characters of the female occurred more
abundantly than those of the male. The back-cross showed
the maximun number of bamboo characters in all resp cts.
The roots inherited more bamboo characters than the stems,
..and the stem and inflorescence rachis showed more characters
than the leaf-sheath or leaf-blade. The authors also point out
that the inflorescence tachis is found to be the best for inheritance study as the characters of the parents appear clear cut.
Technique of sugarcane X bamboo pollination, evolved at
Ooimbatore, has been described by Hussainy (1938) as follows,
.as the flowers of bamboos are not easily obtained, the bamboos
in flower being only available i.n forests, not easily accessible:
('When a bamboo clump flowers, individual bamboos are generally cut to ground level and utilized, as such clumps generally
die after the flower'ing. The stumps left in the ground produce, under favourable conditions, a profusion of shoots most
of which develop .into inflorescence. If such stumps are colle-cted and planted in another place, after .careful transportation,
they put forth inflorescence at the latter place and that too for
fairly continuous periods, in som cases as long as three
months (Plate XXI!).
n. Sugarcane X maize.
A cross between Saccharum and ~ea has been announced by
Aroma! (1938). Oytological examination oonfirmed the hybrid nature of the seedling.
Cytology. Bremer (1932) '" first showed that the Indian canes
differ in chromosome numben. and observed a long membra,.
.Bremer, G., (1932). Bull. No.

T.eh.

110,

Proc. 4th (Jonglless, [nl,r.

S~.

Sug.

'.'

I ..... TE XXIJ

'J'erhnique uf Su~arCllnf' X Bamboo pullination.

Fluwl'rill~ of bamb;:,o ff(lm stumps. {By C'ourt('!y
uf CUlFtnt S.imrt \'01. : Hus~ain).. 193ft)

321

neous body in' the cytoplasm during the metaphase and telophase
at meiosis which he considered the characteristic of the whole
Indian canes. But Dutt and Rao (1934) record complete
absence of such a body.
Ammal (1935, 36, 37 a) who studied the material from
India, Burma and the East Indies has shown that Indian
varieties of Saccharum spontaneum form a polyploid series with
2n=40, 48, 56, 64 and 80 which vary in length and primary and secondary constrictions. In all types, bivalents
were regularly observed except in one form Rellagadi where
one tetravalent was observed. Secondary associations into
five and ten groups were seen. The following forms of Saccharum
spontaneum obtained from different places were also studied:
1. Glagah of Java (East Indies form), 2n = 112.
2. A thin form from Sumatra, 2n=1I2.
3. A gigas form from Sumatra, 2n=128.
4. A Burma form, 2n=96.

The first three forms are considered tetraploids of the common

forms, 2n=64 and 2n = 56, the Burma form, a triploid of the
common peninsular form of India with n =32 or a natural
hybrid between this form and a tetraploid like gigas (n=64).
The author concludes that Saccharum spontaneum are probably
aUopolyploids derived from hybridization between a primitive
type with a basic number 6 or 12 and one with a basic number
10. The secondary associations into five or ten groups were
observed in various polyploid forms of S. spontaneum (2n -48,
56, 64 and 80). The 'a uthor found some evidence of hybridity
within th species. The somatic chromosomes showed some
morphological distinction in their primary and secondary
constriction and size. The chiasmata were not always found
proportional to the length of chromosomes.
Pairing was
regular ill all forms except Rellagaddi which showed a single
tetravalent. A Burma type of Saccharum sponlancum was cytologically examined by Ar?roal and Singh (1936 a) and 2n=90
were observed.

( 322 )

Chromosome numbers in the following were determined

by Dutt and Rao (1933). They record some observations
on fertilization and embryogeny in some sugarcane :-.
Saccharum officinarum var. Vellai.
n=40.
Puri.
n=40.
Shamshara.
n=40.
Poovan.
n=40 (about).
Chittan.
n=40 (about).
Saccharum spontaneum. (Coimbatore form)
n=32.
Co. 205 (Vellai >'< S. spontaneum).
n=56.
The haploid chromosome number in Co. 205 is explained
by adding the diploid number of Vellai to the haploid IUlmber
of Saccharum spontaneum, 80 + 32 = 112 (2n).
Singh (1934 a, b) recorded chromosome numbers in some
forms of Saccharum and in a few hybrids as follows:--

1.

Saccharum MU7I.}a (collected from

the Punjab).

30 bivalents.

2. Saccharum Munja (collected from

10
"
Karnal).
spontaneum.
(Its
3. Saccharum
different forms).
27
Dehra Dun form
"
Rellagaddi (Godavery, Madras)
32
"
32
Coimbatore form
"
Dacca form
39
"
54
Thin-stemmed form, Sumatra
"
Thick-stemmed form, Sumatra
64
"
4. Hybrids:-
(a) Vellai (n=40) X Saccharum narsuga.
n = 15

Irregular pairing.
(b) Sarelha (n=46) )1'( Saccharum spontaneum.

(c)

Shakarchynia X Sacclw.rum Spontanturn

(Chromosome }
0=32).
not determined)

n=32
39 bivalents.
47 bivalents.

"

\..

.~'::J -,~.,
"

...

"-

_-

( .

.,

323
Sugarcane, P. O.J. X Sorghum durra Stapf.
2725 (n=53)
(n= 10).
Irregular
Chromosome number in bud sports ofCI. 213.
Co. 213
Striped sport
Bud sports

(d)

5.

pairing.
59(2n)
62(2n)
(a) 58 (2n)
(b) 59(2n)
(c) 46(2n)

Arnmal (1939 a) records two giant triploid plants with

2n=84 in a population of 100 selfed seedlings of a Saccharum
sponlaneum form with 2n =56. These "triplo-polyploid" plants
exhibited gr ater height, greater thickness of stem, greater'
width of leaves, larger size of inflorescence and increased sugar
content (Plate XXIII).
Dutt and Krishnaswami (J 932) showed that the generative nucleus divides inlo two mal nuclei at least 24 hours
before shedding in some sugarcane varieties and lhe forms
of the male nuclei not constant and ranged from spherical to
cr SC 11t or spindle-shaped. In pollen tubes the maJe nuclei
mostly became elongated. Occasionally spiral shapes were
also observed. In some cases four maJe nuclei were noted . .
Curved male nuclei. were noticed in Co. 529 which are
not common in other varieties studied at Coimbatore except B..
3412 where spiral male nuclei are occasionally formed (Anon~,
1938 b).
Dutt and Ayyar (1928) studied the germination of sugarcane pollen in artificial cultu.re media. They .record that
germination is possible between 22C to 33C and the best
germination is obtained in 26% sucrose plus 0'7% agar culture
medium. Dut~ (1929) further recorded observations on the
germinat ion of sugarcan pollen of some varieti sunder nat\+ral and artificial conditions. He concludes that under favourable
conditions the sugarcane pollen tube would reach the ovary in :
about 3 to 4 hours.

( 324

General. Sugarcane roots at different stages of growth

were studied by Venkatraman and Thomas (1928). Barber (1917,
1918 0) made observations on the underground parts of a number
of cane clumps, which show that a definite formula can be
evolved for each class of canes, throwing light on its relative
stage of development from the wild Saccharum.
Some observations have been made on stigma receptivity in
certain sugarcane varieties by Dutt and Krishnaswa;rny (1931).
Thomas (1932) followed bud variations in (;0. 213 sugarcane variety and found a complete cycle of sports leading back
to the original type.
Venkatraman (1917) records that the basal florets of an
arrow possess a smaller percentage of open anthers than th05
of the rest and that the cells in the style branches of the varieties
which do not set seed freely are devoid of starch, while the
cells of the ,:arietics which set seed freely showed a good amount
of these grains scattered all through. In a later publication
(Venkatraman, 1925 a, b) the author remarks that this test is of
great importance in the Indian varieties. In the tropical cases
it does not work satisfactorily and the test fails in the case of
new seedlings. He also records some abnormalities in certain
varieties (Venkatraman, 1917). He also mentions that flowering . in early canes should be considered advantageous, while it
is not desirable in late varieties (Venkatraman, 1923) . Butler
(1907) records certain suggestions to be followed up for growing
the sugarcane crop, free from disease especially the red rot
caused by Colletotrichumfalcatum Went.
Barber (1918 a,b) made observations on the tillering or
underground branching and on testing the suitability of different varieties of sugarcane for different localities.
Barber (1916 c) records detailed observations on some
sugarcane seedlings and correlation between morphological
characters and sucrose in the juice.
References to literature of minor importance are : Vcnkatraroan .(1926, a,b; 1928 a, b; 1930 b j 1935). Krishnamurthi
and lyer (1936), Shetty (\939) and Barber (1917).

3'25

Venkatraman (1922) observed that the following speCies

showed the sugarcane pollen germination on their stigmas:
Datura fastuosa Var. alba.
Carica papaya Linn.
Hibiscus vitifolius.
Gynandropsis pentaphylla.
Thespesia populnea Linn.
Datura jastuosa gave the most satisfactory germination. He
found that the cane pollen begin losing viability in less than
half an hour, after they are brought outside the anthers. He
also describes a method which enables the cane pollen to continue their viability for a p eriod of eleven days.
Varieties under cultivation in different localities have been
shown below and popular leaf-lets and bull tins under Bibliography B.
CENTRAL PROVINCES AND BERAR.
Poundah. Thick soft and yellow coloured variety, susceptible to
damage by jackals and red rot, suitable for growing near big towns for
sale for chewing purposes. Qutturn poorer than a Coimbatore cane. It
requires liberal manuring, ample irrigation and careful attention.
E. K. 28. A thick variety from Bombay Presidency, grows bigger in
size than Poulldah and gives a higher yield. It is suitable for growing
near big towns for sale for chewing purposes. It requires liberal manuring, ample irrigation and careful attention.
Co. 210. A hard variety with reddish pink colour, suitable for gur
making and requires less water, manure and care than thick canes.
Co. gI2. A high yielding hard cane amongst recent introductions,
colour ashy white with pinkish tinge, prominent eye buds, early maturing.
It can stand lodging, gives fine quality of gur and requires less water
and manure than thick c&nes.
CO.3Ig. A high yielding hard cane amongst recent introductions,
col llr yellowish green with dark spots, early maturing, can stand lodging,
gives fine quality of gur alld requires less water and manure than thick
canes.
Co. 290. A medium sized 80ft cane with reddish colour, high in
yield but liable to damage from pigs and jackals. quality of gur fait'.
Co. 1137. Heavy yielding, thin hard variety, suitable for fine granular gur. It is a free ratoone'r. It yields less than Co. 210 and Co. 1119

(
varieties and
a few years.
002g0.
ced varieties
00g'3.
ced varieties,

326

requires more irrigation.

)
Quality and yield deteriorates after

Very heavy yield er as compared to the originally introduCo. 237 and Co. 210. This variety is thicker than Co. gIg.
Very heavy yielder as compared to the originally introduCo. 237 and Co. 210.

UNITED PROVINCES.
Early canes :-Co. 385' POOl' germination, good habit, resistant to
borers and sucking insect$, sucrOse percentage 19'16, yield 697 '02 maund
per acre.
Co . S. 76 . Good habit, two weeks later in maturity than Co. 385
sucrose % 18'03, yield 897'22 maunds per acre.
Co. 313. Fairly early variety, highly susceptible to mosaic, not resistant to drought and water Jogging. Sucrose % Ig'28, yield 780'00 maunds
per acre.
M~djum canes:-Co. 312. Lodges on rich soils, grows quickly, hence
less attack of stem borers. White-fly develops ill ratoon and water Jogged conditions. Susceptible La mosaic. Good hcavy yielder. Sucrose %
15'50, yield 1191'60 maunds per acre.
Co. 393. Hardy, drought resistant and heavy yielder. A good variety
among thin canes. Sucrose % 16'49, yield 872'58 maunds per acrc.
CO421. All round good cane, stand good, vigorous germination.
Heavy yielder, most probably will flourish throughout. U. P. Sucrose %
17' 59, yield II 65'56 maunds per acre.
Co . 356. Medium thick cane, requires more water and manure.
A good variety from pest point of view. Poor in dry tracts, but fair
in humid conditions. Sucrose % 19'44, yield 845'25'
Co. 349. Medium thick cane, responds well to very heavy manuring
and irrigation. Sucrose % 18'28, yield 710'55 maunds per aCre.
Latecan6s:-Co.331. Germination, stand and yield good. Hardy
cane. Resistant to water logging. Susceptible to white-fiy in low land.
Also fairly good in dry conditions. Resistant to top borer due to rapid
growtli.. Sucrose % 18' 45, yield 997' 30 maunds per acre.
Co. S. 5. A heavy yielding hardy variety. Stand and germination fairly good. Same quaUty as Co . 213. Sucrose % 16'59, yield 935'70
ffiaunds per acre.

BARODA STATE.
Coimbatore 419 and C. 421. These are the outstanding caues which are
coming into popular demand.

( 327
P. 0.].2878. Hard, very
the local and raloons well.

high yielding,

25 to 50% more than

PUNJAB.
Co. 213. (Parentage ]. 213 X Kansar) :-It is medium in thickness, wilh
barrel-shaped internode; free from splits and ivory markings, requires
rich soil, heavy manuring and ample irrigation water. Its cultivation is
confined mainly to Eastern Punjab (Karnal-Rohtak) and sub-mountain
tract (Gurdaspur-Hoshiarpur). In fact, it thrives best in hot and moist
climate. It is a good ratooner and ripens late, but its produce is of fine
quality. It is susceptible to insect pests, drought and frost. Its average
yi ld is 70-80 Mds. of gur per acre and has beo:n out-yielded by Co . 285,
Co. 312 and Co . 313.
Co. 223. (Parentage, Chittom X Naonal seedlings) :- The internodes which
are badly splitted are medium in thickness. It can be grown on soils
of medium fertility and in comparatively dry climate. It is grown almost all over the Punjab, but is mainly confined to the Central and
Western Punjab. It is a very good ratooner, and gives fine colour
produce, when harvested about the middle of the crushing season. It is
also susceptible to insect pests, drought and frost. In years of exceptional drought, white ants bore through the entire length of its canes. Its
average yield is 70-80 Mds. of gur per acre and is being replaced by
the new improved canes.
Co. 290 Parentage Co. 221 X D74:-Germination of the clamped
cane is good and quick, while of the standing cane it is patchy
and disuniform. General stand of the germinated crop is quite fair on
rich lands. It is usually uneven on poor lands. Habit of growth
rather oblique when young, growing erect later on. Effective tillering of
the planted crop starts rather late, while that of ratoon it is fairly ahead
by the time the other germinates. In general the variety is strong tillerer.
During hot weather it suffers less tban the local variety Paundah. Thua
irrigation can be slightly delayed without much loss to the general
growth of the crop. It puts on good growth during monsoon, when it
rapidly makes up in growth in length. During this period it maintains
broad, green, medium and abundant foliage.

Medium thick canes slightly curved but much less prone to lodging than Poundah. Although it is more soft than other Coimbatore canes
it is less liable to attack of jackals and rodents than the local soft
variety. It is comparatively a late ripening variety which really matures
about the beginning or middle of February, when juice gives purity of

328

over 80%. Gur prepared is of fair qualitYf consideripg both colour and
setting. Ratoon gives better and early ripening.
The variety suits humid conditions of Peshawar Valley with normal
irrigation facilities. It prefers heavy soils and intensive cultivation. It
is unsuitable for lands possessing "Usar" Or high alkalinity.
Co. 244. (Partntag~, J. 213 X Co. lI05) :-Rather thin to medium in
thickness, joints comparatively long and free from splits; medium in
hardncss. It does fairly well in comparatively poor soils, but lodges badly
on rich 1I0il'l. Its aver~g yield is 6?-70 MdII. of gur per acre.
Co. 285' (Parentage, Gr. sort of St. Mauritius X Co. 205) :-It is rather
thin to medium thick with long joints which have got ivory markings
almost in abundance, mediUl:l'l to rather hard in structure with an erect
habit of growth. It is a universal cane and can be grown economically
on rich as well as poor soils. It has also been found tv do fairly well
in baram alkaline and water-logged soils, and as such it is being grown
almost all over the Punjab. It is highly resistant to Pyrilla, frost and
drought. It is a medium to late cane and its produce is of reddish
colour. It is a good ratooner and at present it occupies the largest area
of all the varieties. Its average yield is gO-10o Mds. of gur per acre.
Co. lIgo. (Parentage, CO.1I21 X D. 74) :-Almost a thick to thickish cane,
splits almost absent. It requires heavy manuring and frequent irrigation.
It is highly susceptible to insect pests, drought and frost and also lodges badly. It matures late, but the quality of the produce is good. Average yield is 80-go Mds.
Co. 3111. (Parmlage, Co. 213 X Co. 244) :-Medium to somewnat thickish cane; joints of medium length; splits present but a few in number.
It is medium, soft and good for chewing. It requires almost rich soil,
but can also be grown on soils of low fertility. It has been given out to
farmers only recently, but in view of its being heavy yielder, it is replacing the previous Coimbatore canes rather quickly. It is highly tClistant to drought, but is susceptible to froBt and Pyrilla. It is a late maturing cane with produce of fine quality. On rich soih it, however, lodges badly, but this could be prevented considerably by planting 1I feet
apart and ridging the crop before break of monsoons. Its maximum
yield of gur at Lyallpur has gone upto 186,5 Mds. per acre, with an
average yield ranging from I (0 to IlI0 Mds. per acre.
Co. 313. (Parenlagl, Co. 1I13 X Co. 244):-Medium in thickness and
free from splits; almost soft. It requires rich soil and adequate supply
of irrigation water. It has also been released for gener I cultivation
recently and can be grown ill almost all places where general conditions
Q cane growing are not very trying. It ia susceptible to drought, fro.t

329

and insect pests. It is an early maturing cane and has beaten the local
cane Katha both in early maturity and final yield of gur. Its produce is
also of fine quality. It can be crushed about the m iddle of November
and its average yield of gur is 80-90 Mds. per acre.

BIHAR.
Co. 299' Thin green cane, straight with ivory m arkings and growth
splits in the inlemodes; yields sligh tly le."q than Co. 2 J 3; ripens
about the middle of November with progressive increase in sucrOSe
and purity till the end of March, suffering very little dryage, if kept
late in the field; suits heavier loams and does well under low-lying and
flood conditions; highly resistant to pests and diseases.
Co. 313. Medium thick green cane without ivory markings and growth
splits suiting lighter loams, yields almost equal to Co. 213; ripens
about the middle of December, with progressive increase in sucrose and
purity till end of March; suffers dryage, if kept late in the field; susceptible to a certain extent to borers but not to diseases. More sui table
to both the grower and miller than Co. 299 which is essentially a miller's cane producing good-quality gur in South Bihar.
Co. 356. Thick green cane with cylindrical joints and knob like
buds; more suitable to heavy soils than light ones; very satisfactory in
favourable rainfall; higher yielding than Co. 2 13; normally ripening in
January with a tendency to be earlier in years of early cessation of rains.
CO.331. Medium thick purple cane with promiuent growth ring;
hardy; agriculturally a sound variety giving high yields; midseason cane
in South Bihar, fit for crushing between the end of January and April;
tends to be late and erratic ripening in North Bihar and hence not
recommended there; quite good for gur manufacture whieh is considerable
in South Bihar; highly resistant to pests and diseases.

MADRAS.
Co. 281. This is a thin early cane of high sucrose content and
can tolerate water logging but brittle in habit and is profuse in tillering .
. Co. 413. This is a medium thick cane suitable for both garden
and wet cultivation. It tillers profusely and yields, on an average, 35-40
tons of cane per acre. It is able to withstand extreme drought and
hence is very popular where scarcity for water is felt.
Co. 419 . . Medium thick cane of great vigour with good tillering,
and stand with erect habit. Very popular throughout the Circars as
heavy yielder. It stands adverse conditions, such as drought and swamp.
It yields 16 % sucrose in March with 86 to 88% purity. Yield per
acre is 54 tons.

330

Co. 42 I. It is a medium thick cane with tall growth and erect

habit, withstanding adverse conditions much better. It records 15 to
16% sucrose in February with 86% purity. Acre yield is 44 tons.
Co. 243. It is a vigorous cane, withstanding drought. Acre yield
is 38 tons.
CO.213 and ~jl3. Vigorous canes capable of thriving without normal irrigation. Co. 313 matures earlier than Co. 213, but yields less. Co.
313 records 20% sucrose and 90% purity in February and Co. 21g,
J7% sucrose and 87% purity in March last week.
Acre yields are 30 and 25 tons respectively.
Co. 349. A thick juicy medium height cane, well favoured for its
suitability for factory crushing in all the 3 (early, mid and late) seasons,
recording 15% sucrose in January, 15 to 18%in March andnotles! than
15% March onwards. It requires heavy propping and gives more jaggery recovery. Acre yield is SO tons.
Purple Mauritius, J. 247 and P. O. J. 2878. They were ruling canes till
recently but deteriorating slowly, giving place to Coimbatore seedling
canes. Acre yields were go, 38 and 40 tons respectively.
Co. 508. It is a rich variety and gives jaggery of good quality.
It is a hard cane and it retains its maximum sucrose for a long
period. Acte yield is 28 tons.

SIND.

Co. ::!1g. It is a good cane for gur making. Being hard it is free
from damage by animals.
Khajuria.

It is a high yielder, soft cane, good for chewing purposes.

FRONTIER-PROVINCE.

Co. 312. Germination of the damped seed is fair wbile that of the
standing cane is slow and very disuniform. A:!. bud shooting starts, the
On light loam lands the germinagermination suffers in this way also.
tion is belter than on heavy soils. Habit of growth is spreading iDearly
stages and tends to be erect later. Effective tillering of the plant starts
earlier than Co. 290, the standard variety of the tract. It also tillers
more strongly than the standard. Comparatively the variety is less susceptible to drought and therefore during hot weather needs less irrigation
than Co. :290. It responds to rains quickly and the crop rapidly grows
bushy and fills up. When it is grown on light land under heavy manuring it lodges badly.

SSI

, The variety has medium thick canes, very much prone to lodging.
It has medium hard rind. In lodged canes shooting and rooting are
pronounced. It ripens about early January when it attains a purity
co-efficient of over 80%_ Gur is of extra fine colour and aets well. Yield
of Gur is extra by about 10% over Co. 290 which yields, on an average,
about 50-60 maunds per acre. The variety was und er test from Ig35
onwards and is likely to suit the conditions of Peshawar Valley. Though
prefers heavy soils and intensive cultivation it gives good yield on poor lands
also.

ASSAM.
P. O. J. 2714. Vigorous and higb outtum.
Co. 213. Great tillering and high outtum.
Co . 210. Good outtum and early.
CO . 2g0. Very good outturn.
P. O.J. 2878. Almost as good as and similar to P. O . J. 2714.
CO.419. A very high yielder.
Stripped Mauritius. B 147, B 376, D 74. These varieties were introduced some 25 years back and have found a firm footing in cultivators'
fields. They are decidedly better caDes and higher yielders than the indigenous ones. EXCept S. AI. all are late ripeners and have crect habits.
Stripped Mauritius. Ripens early. The gur is of good colour and
texture. It is also prized as a chewing cane.
P. O. J. 2714. Co. 210, Co. 361, Co. 213, Co. 2g0 and Co. 419. These
are recently introduced and have gamed some popularity due to their high
yields. P. O. J. 2714 is a thick cane and is popular owing to its high
yield with vigorous growth and good appearance. It is also a good
ratooner but is susceptible to stem borer.
The Co. varieties, although high yielders, yet due to their thinness, hardness, unattractive colour and poor appearance have not extended as widely as they were expected to have done.
The Co. 419 is of very recent introduction and is expect"d to be the best
cane from the point of view of yield. But it appears to be a late ripener.
MYSORE.
H. M. 320. Seedling of Red Mauritius, vigorous and tillers well.
Thick cane with red colour, yield per acre 35-45 tons, extensively cultivated for sugar and Jaggery making.
Ii. M. 544. Seedling of Red Mauritius, vigorous and tillers well.
Thick cane with green colour, yield per acre .25 tons, late mauJfing
cane.

332 )

H. M. 607. It is a cross bctween H. M. 544 X P. O. J . gIg.

Vigorous and free tillering, medium cane with yellow colour, yield per
acre 25-35, ratoons well, drought resistant.
H. M. 645. Seedling of Co. 281, vigorous and free tillering, cane
medium to thick with white colour, yield per acre 25-30, juice is very
clear, an excellent cane for making boora sugar and light coloured
jaggery.
H.M. 647. Seedling of Co. 290, erect vigorous and non-lodging,
cane medium to thick with white colour, yield per acre 40-42, drought
resistant.
H. M. 65'. Seedling of P. O. J . 2878, vigorous and tillers properly,
cane medium to thin with colour green, yield per acre 35-40 tons,
drought resistant, it yields good coloured jaggery.
H. M. 653. Seedling of P. O.J . 2878, vigorous and free tillering, cane
medium and with colour greenish white, yield per acre 40 tons.
H . M. 654. Seedling of P. O. J. 2878, very vigorous, cane medium
to thick, yield per acre 36 tons, suited for preparation of hardjaggery.
H. M. 656. Seedling of P. O. J. 2878, very vigorous and tillers
moderately, cane medium to thick, yield per aCre 37 tons.
H . M. 657. Seedling of P. O. J. 2878, vigorous and free tillering, cane
medjum to thick, yield per acre 45 tons, matures a little later than H. M.
61 I and long standing.
H.M.658. Seedling of P. 0.J.2878, vigorous and erect, cane medium
to thick, yield per acre 40 tons.
H. M. 659. Seedling of Co. 313, vigorous and tillerS freely, cane
medium to thick, yield pCI' acre 36 tons, does not deteriorate for a long time
after maturing. Dlought resistant. Very promising cane.
H. M. 661. (Co. 281 X Teosinte). Vigorous and tillers freely, cane
medium with rose colour, yield per acre 35-40 tons.

BIBUOGRAPHY A..
Ammal, E. K. J. (1935). Cytogenetic studies in Saccharum spon'anlllm L.
Proc. Asso. eco. BioI. Coimbatofl, 3 : 14.
AromaJ, E. K. J. (1936). Cytogenetic analysis of Sacchamm sponlaneum L., I.
Chromosome stud ies in some Indian forms. Indian J. agri. Sci., 6 : 1-8.
AromaJ, B. K.J. (1937 a). Chromosome studies in Saccharum orundinaceum L.
Proc. 24th Indian Sci. Congress (bot.,) 268.
Ammal, E. K.J. (1937 b). Tbe inheritance ofhabitinSaccharumspontantum L.
Proc. 24th Indian Sci. Congress (agrio.), 365.
Aromal, E. K . J. (1937 c). Tetrasomic inheritance in two Saccharum officinarum X Saccharum spontaneum hybrids. Proc. lI,th Indian Sci. Congress, 365.
Aromal, E. K.J. (193B). A Saccharum-Zeacross. NatuTl J4lI : 618-619.

( 333 )
Ammal, E. K. J. (1939 a). Triplo-polyploidy in Saccharum spontaneum L.
Curro Sci., 8 : 74-77.
Aromal, E. K. J. (1939 b). Chromosome behaviour in Saccharum spontaneum
X Sorghum durra hybrids. Proc. 25th Indian Sci. Congress (bot.), 143.
Aromal, E. K. J. and Singh, T. S. N. (1936 a). Cytogenetic analysis of
Saccharum spontaneum L., 2-A type from Burma. Indian J. agri. Sci., 6 :
9- 10 .
Ammal, E. K. J. and Singh, T. S. N. (1936 b). A preliminary note Oil a llew
Saccharum X Sorghum hybrids. i7ldian J. agric. Sci., 6 : 1105-1106.
An?l!J'mous, ( 1937). Agrie. alld Allimal Husbandry, Irldia, 1936 -37 : 199
Anonymous, (1938 a). Improvement of sugarcane by hybridization. Punjab
agric. Coil. Mag., 6 : 48-49.
Anonymou.r, (1938 b). Sci. Rep. Imperial Agrie. Res. Inst. , New Delhi,I938 ; 81.
Barbel', C. A. (19 6) . The production of early maturing canes. Agric. J.
India, 1 ; 226.
Barber, C. A. (1906) The origin of new sugarcanes by bud variation. Agric.
J. India, I ; 285.
Barber, C. A. (lg07) Sugarcane cultivation in tb irrigated lands of Godavari delta. Acrie. J. India, 2 ; 53
Barber, C. A. (1912 a). Seedling canes in India. Agric.]. Illdia , 7 : 3 17-33 0 .
Barber, C. A. (1912 b). Annual Rep. Govt. Botani.!t 1911-U, Madras Presidency;
3
Barber, C. A. (1915 a). Sugar and sugarcane. Agrie. J. Illdia , 10 : 237
Barber, C. A. ( 1915 b). Studies in Indian sugarcanes, No.1. Punjab canes,
Mtm. Dep. Agric. India , (Bot. Ser.), 7 : 1-106.
Barber, C. A. (1916 a) . Studies in Indian sugarcanes. No.2. Pun.iab canes.
Mem. Dep. Agrie. India, (Bot . Str. ), 8.
Bllrber, C. A. (1916 b). The classification of indigenous Indian canes
ACrie.J. India, I I : 371-376.
Barber, C . A. (1916 c). Studies in Indian sugarcanes, No.2. Sugarcane
seedlings including some correlntiom between morphological characters
and sucrose in the juice. Mem. Dep. Agrie., Illdia (Bot. Ser.), 8 : 103-'99.
Barber, C. A. (1917 a). Studies in Indian sugarcanes, NO.3. The classification of Indian canes with special reference to the Saretba and Sunnabi! groups. Mem. Dep. Agrie. India (Bot. Ser.), 9: 133-219.
Barber, C. A. (1917 b). Rep. Drp. aerie ..Madras Presid~nry, 1916-17.
Barber, C. A. (1917 c) . R~p. operation Dep. aerie. Madras. Presidency, 1916-17 ;
68.
Barber, C. A. (1918 a). Studies in Indian Sugarcanes, NO.4. Tillering Or
underground branching. MITTI. D.p. Agrie. India (Bot. S".), 10 ; 39-153.

334

Barber, C. A. (1910 b) . Studies in Indian sugarcanes, No. 5. On testing the

suitability of sugarcane varieties for different localities, by a system of
measurements. Periodicity in the growth of the sugarcane. },,fem. Dep.
Agrie.lndia (Bot SeT.), 10 : 155-179.
Barnes,]. H. (1918). Sugar and the sugarcane in the Cawnpore district.
BIIU 6g. Agrie. Res. Inst. Pusa, 1910.
Batham, H. N. and Nigam, L. S. (1935 ) .
U. P. Indian J. agrie. Sci., 6 .

Flowering of Coimbatore canes in

Brown, W. R. (1912 .). Pounda sugarcane cultivation around Peshawar.

A.llr;e. J. Irldia, 7 : 34..
Bhagavathi Kutty Amma, P . R. and Ekambaram, T. (1940). Sugarcane X
bamb 0 hybrids. J. rndian bot. Soc., I8 : 209-229.
Butler, E.]. (1907.) The selection of sugarcane cuttings. Agrie. J. India,
2 : 193-201.
Clarke, G . (1916) . Improved sugarcanes in the United Provinces. Agrie.
J. India, n : 243.
Clarke, G. aod Hadi, S. M. (1908). Sugarcane at the Partabgarh experimental
station. Bull . 13, Agrie. Res. Inst., Pusa., Ig08.
Clarke, G. Annet, H. E. and Husain., S. Z. (1911). Experimente on the cultivation of sugar-can at the Partabgarh experimental slation (Igog-Il).
Agrie. Res. Inst., Pusa. Bull 27, 1911.
Clarke, G. Hussain, K. S. M. N. and Banerjee, S. C. (1922 ) . Coimbatore
sugarcane se dlings in the United Provinces. Agrie. J.India, 17: 445-462.
Deerr, N. (1930 a). Results and object lessons from half a century of cane
bree::ling. Agrie. J. India, 25 : 100-103
Deerr, N. (1930 b). Results and object lessons from half a century of cane
breeding. Proc. I7th Indian Sci. Congress (agrie.), 41.
Dutt, N. L . (1929)' Studies in sugarcane pollen with special reference to
longivity. Agri. J. India, 24 : 235-244.
Dutt, N . L. ( 1934). Rec nt advances in sugarcane breeding in India. Proc.
Ass. teo . BioI. Coimbatore, III : 60-66.
Dutt, N. L. and Ayyar, G. G. (1928). Germination of sugarcane pollen in
artificial culture media. Agrie. J. India, 1113 : 190-202.
Dutt, N. L. and Krishnaswamy, M. K. (1931). A preliminary note on Stigma
receptivity in certain sugarcane varieties. Indian J. agrie. Sci., I : 286-288.
Dutt, N. L. and Krishnaswamy, M. K. (1932). Observations on male nuclei
in the sugarcane. Indian J. agrie. Sci., III : 47-50.
Dutt, N. L. and Krishnaswa.my, M. K. (1934). The breeding of thick types
of canes for India. Madras agrie. J., 1112 .
Dutt, N. L. and Rao, K. S. s. (1933). Observations Qn the cytology of the _
sugarcane. Indian J. agTic. Sci., 3 : 37-56.

335

Dutt, N. L. and Rao, K. S. S. (1934). A preliminary note on the membraneous

body in the cytoplasm as characteristic of the indigenou~ Indian canes.
Indian J . agric. Sci., ,, : 228-23.
Dutt, N. L., Hussainy, S. A. & Krishnaswarny, M. K. (1936). A note on the
breeding of sugarcane varieties resistant to masaic. Proc. Indian Acad.
Sei',3 (B ) : 425-431.
Hussainy, S. A. (1938). Technique of sugarcane
CU". Sci., , : 232.

Bamboo pollination.

Howard, A. (1912). A suggested improvement in sugarcane cultivation in the

Indo-Gangetic plain. Agric. J. India, , : 41.
Khanna, K. L. ( 1937). A preliminary note on the possibilities of breeding
new varieties of sugarcane under North Bihar conditions. Agrie. LiveStk. India, 7 : 35-60.
Khanna, K . L. and Venkatramao, T . S. (1930). Suggested method of studying sugarcanes for breeding work. Proe. 17th Indian Sci. Congress (agrie.),

P-42
Krishnaswamy, C. S. (1936) . Studies in disease resistance in crop plants in
the Madras Presid ncy-II. Proc. Indian Aca. Sci., 3 (B ) : 481-490.
Krishnamurthi, K. and Iyer, K. V. G . (1936). Preliminary studies on the
effect ofarrowing (flowering) on sugarcalle crops. Agrie. Lil'e-Stk. bldia,

6 : 667-74'
Lander, P. E. and Nara;n, R. (1935). Sugarcane in the Punjab, Part r.
Indian J. agrie. Sci., 5 (Part II).
Lander, P. E . and Narain, R. (1939). Sugarcane jn the Punjab, II. Indian
J. agrie. Sci., 9 : 38r -4 2 1.
Leather,]. W . (1911). Sugarcane in India. Agric. J . India. 6 : 255.
Parr, A. E. (1912). Sugarcan~ experiments at the Aligarh Experimental
Farm. Agric . J . India, 7 : 301.
Panje, R. R. (1933). Saccharum .rpontamum L., A comparative study of the
forms grown at the Imperial Sugarcane Breeding Slation, Coimbatore.
Indian J. al(ric. Sci., 3 : 1013-1044.
PiIlai, N. K. (1916). Some sugarcane experiments in Travancore. AJiric. J.
India , I I : 79.
Rao, K. K. (1929). Factors influencing th~ growth and sugar contents of
cane. Agrie. J. India, lit
Sayer, W. (19[6). Sugarcane cultivation in non-tropical parts ofIndia. Agric.
J. India . 18 : 249
Sayer, W. (1927). Improved methods of sugarcane cultivation in North Bihar.
Agric. J. India, 1111 (Part I).
Sarkar, B. N. (1938). A short history of sugarcane cultivation in Bihar upto
the middle of the 19th century. Agrie. Live-Stk. India, 8 : 167-173.

336

Setbi, D. R. and Khanna, K. L. (1935). A summary of the performances of

some important Coimbatore sugarcane seedlings in Bihar and Orissa.
Agrie. Live-Slle. illdia, 5 : 199-~17.
Shetty, K . T. (1939). A note on sugarcane cultivation in tbe South Canara
District. Madras agrie. J., ~7 : 439-442.
Singb, T. S.N. (1934 a). Chromosome numbers in the Genus, Saccharum and
its hybrids. Indian J. agrie., Sci., 4 : 290-!:!94
Singb, T. S. N. (1934 b).
Chromosome number in sugarcane X Sorghum
hybrids. Indian. J. agrie. Sci., 4 : 10 50
Stuart, G.A.D. (1917). Rep . operations. Dep. agrie. Madras Presidency, 1916-17:
13
Taylor, C. S. (1910). A note on th past history of the sugarcane crop in
Bengal. QuaT. J. Dtp. agrie. Bengal, 3 : 82-93.
Taylor, C. S. (1911-12). Notes on classification and examination of canes
at present indigenous to Bengal. Quar. J. Dep. agrie. Bet/gal, S : 12-32.
Taylor, C. S. (1913). Notes On experiments witb sugarcane at Sabo:ur.
Agrie. Res. Inst. Pusa, BuJl. 37.
ThomDs, R . (J9P). .Bud v.ariatiom in Co, .213 sugarcane. Il/diDI) J. Dpk.
Sci., !l : 531-535.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1917). A study of the arrowing (flowering) in the sugarcane with special reference to selling and crossing operations. Agrie.
J. India, U : 97- 108.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1920). Agrie. Res. Insl. Pusa, Bull 94 : 17 pp.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1922). Germ ination and preservation of sugarcane
pol len. Agrie. J . India, 17 : 127-)32 .
Venkatraman , T. S. (1923). Is flowering a serious drawback in a new sugarcane? Agrie. J. India, 18 : 5S8-539.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1925 a) . Sugarcane breeding, IndicatioIls of inheritance. Mem. Dep. Agric. India (Bot. Ser.), 14 : u3-BI9.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1925 b). Sugarcane breeding in Inella-hybridization
to testing. Agrie. J. Iruiia, 20: 173-186.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1926 a). Studies in sugarcane germination . Agrie.
J. Illdia, III : 101-106.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1926 b). Sugarcane-breeding technique-isolation of
li ve arrows frorn undesired pollen thl'ough artificial rooting of canes.
Agrie. J. India, 21 : 203-209.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1927). Breeding improved sugarcanes for the Punjab.
Proe. 14th b zdian Sci. COllgress (ogrie.), 32.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1928 a). The Indian sugar bowl and agricultl.lralresearch
in connection therewith. Agric. J. India,.3 : 166-~76.

337

Venkatraman, T. S. (19~8 b). The Indian sugar bowl and agricultural

research in connection therewith. Proe. 15th Indian Sci. Congress (agrie.).,
3 1-4~
Venkatraman, T. S. (1930 a). Sorghum-sugarcane hybrids. Proe. Ass.
Bioi. Coimbatore, I : 4-6.

ICO.

Venkatraman, T. S. (1930 b). Sugarcane breeding. Its chief characteristics.

Madras agrie. ]., 18 : 417-421.
Venkatraman, T . S. (1934) . Sugarcane-Sorghum Hybrids, Part I, General
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Agrie. Live-Slk., india, 6 : SI7-518.
.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1937). Sugarcane-bamboo hybrids. Indian J . agrie.
Sci., 7 : SI 3-S'4.
Venkatraman, T. S. (1938 a). Hybridi:l!!ltion in and with the Genus SaccharUIII. Its scientific and economic aspects. Curro Sci., 6 : 425-427.
Venkatraman, T . S. (1938 b) . Hybridization in and with the Genus Saccharum.
Its scientific and economic aspects. Proe. 25th Indian Sci. Congress (agrie.),
26 7- 84.
Venkatraman, T. S. and Rao, U. V. (1928). Coimbatore seedling canes.
Aerie. J. India, 23 : 28-g8.
Venkatraman, T. S. and Thomas, R . (1921). The care and treatment
of new sugarcane importations. Agrie. J. India, 16 : 24.
Venkatraman, T.S. and Thomas, R. (1922). Sugarcane root systems; Studies
in develop ment and anatomy. Agrie. ]. India, 17 : S81.
Venkatraman, T. S. and Thomas, R. (1928) . Studies of sugarcane roots at
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Venkatraman, T. S. and Thomas, R . (1931). Coimbatorescedlingcancs (Co.
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Venkatraman, T. S. and Thomas, R . (193~). Indian J. Agric. Sci., II : 19-~7.
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Dep. agrie. Bengal, 5 : 179

338
Woodhouse, E. J. Basu S. K. and Taylor, C. S. (1915)' The distinguishing
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(1929). Varieties of Sugarcane in Vizagapatam district.
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(, 929-30). A note on varieties of Sugarcane in Vizagapatam district
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Madras, ( l g34). Some practical suggestions to cane growers.
Madras, (1935; 1935-36). The planting of sugarcane, by A. C. Admonds.
Madras, (1937-38). Sugarcane cultivation in Tanjore district.
United Provinces. Notes on improved methods of cane cultivation, by G. Clarke
and Naib Husain.
United Provinces, {19S6). ImprOved methods of cane cultivation in the United
Provinces, by R. L . Sethi et al.
United Provinces. Cultivation of Sugarcane in North India, by Subbiah.
United Provinces. Important facts to remember in successful Sugarcane cultivation of improved varieties, by R. G. Allen.
United Provinces. Flowering of cane, by R. G. Allen.
United Provinces. Advantages of early sowing of cane, by R . G. Allen.
United Provinces. Problem of Sugarcane cultivation and Sugar-manufacture,
by R. L. Sethi.
United Provinces. Results of Sugarcane experiments at the Govemment agricultural farms, Shabjahanpur, by R. L. Sethi.
United Provinces. General information about the Sugarcane crop in the United
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( 339

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(1932). Note on Sugarcane in Shahabad district, South Bihar.
(1932). Some recommendations resulting from experimental work in
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Bihar, (1934) . Summary of performance of Coimbatore Sugarcane seedlings
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Bihar,
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Bihar,
Bihar,
Bihar,

CHAPTER IX
DRUGS, SPICES, CONDIMENTS AND MEDICINAL
PLANTS.
From breeding and genetical point of view, little work has
been carried out on other crops included under this chapter than
tobacco. The information is, therefore, more of general botanical
and agricultural interest.

Nicotiana Linn.

TOBACCO.
N. species.

Solanaceae.

India is one of the largest tobacco growing countries in the

world. It was introduced into this country about the year 1605
and experiments towards its improvement commenced since 1786
(0' Connor, 1873). It is known at different places by various
names, e.g., Tamakhu (Central Provinces, Bombay, Bengal),
Tamak (Sind) and DhaJJat (Assam).
Varieties.-Two species of tobacco viz., Nicotiana rustica
Linn. (yellow flowered) and Nicotiana tabacum Linn. (pink
flowered), are largely grown in this country. Howard and
Howard (1910 a, b) divided N. rustica Linn. into 20 types and
N . tabacum Linn. into 51. Shaw and Kashi Ram (1932) described
another 18 types of N. tabacum, bringing the total number to 69.
Majumdar (1931) refers to varieties grown in the Bombay Presidency which belQng to N. tabacum Linn.
Varieties under cultivation in different parts of India are:
Gandia No.6 and Piliu 28 in Bombay, No. 12 in the Punjab, I.P. 28
in Bihar & H. S. No.9 in Madras.
Genetics.- Howard (1924) studied the inheritance of certain characters in N. rustica. The results are summarised blow:
1. Frilled leaf margin is dominant to smooth edge and is
controlled by a single factor.
2. Length of the pistil was determined by a single factor in

( S41

one cross, while at least two factors (affecting both the length 'of
the pistils and of the filaments) in the other cross.
In F 2 the measurements of the calyx and corolla gave a series
with a range of variation equal to the combined ranges of the
parents. A single factor L is responsible for the difference between the tall and the short types. A single factor 0 was found
responsible for a compact inflorescence. Factor P was found
to be capable of converting a very compact inflorescence into one
which is open.
Preliminary observations on the inheritance of the following
characters in Nicotiana tabacum L. have been recorded by Howard
(1913) :
1. Time of flowering.
2. Height of stem.
3. Arrangement of the leaves on the stem.
4. Length of the decurrent portion of the lamina.
5. Venation of the leaf.
6. Leaf-shape.
7. Undulation of the surface and margin of the leaf.
F I was found intermediate in all the characters except the height.
In the case of the latter, different results were obtained which
might have been due to hybrid vigour. The author could not
arrive at any definite conclusions regarding the inheritance of
these characters except the undulation of the margin which proved to be due to a single factor.
With a view to combine the hardiness of indigenous types with
good quality of exotic varieties for cigarette manufacture, crosses
were made between Pusa type 28 and Adcock (Kashi Ram, 1931).
F 1 was intermediate. Segregation in F t was complex. The true
parental types did not appear and hybrids with certain new
characters appeared, especially the presence of white flowers, t}{e
par nts possessing pink flowers. Hybrids were classified for
economic characters. Ten homozygous lines were obtained.
To evolve 'leaf-curl' disease-resistant strain, Pal and Pushkar
Nath (1936) attempted crossing between N. tabacum ana

( 342

N. plumbaginifolia, the latter being resistant to the disease.

N. plumbaginifolia was crossed with a pusa variety and three
vigorous hybrids were raised to maturity. The F) was completely sterile which may be chiefly due to the irregular chromosome pairing at meiosis, the chromosome numbers being n = 24 in
N. tabacum and n=10 in N. plumbaginifolia. The hybrid showed
intermediate condition in several characters. An interesting
feature is the appearance of two new characters, the streaking
and striping of the flower and the presence of accessory corolla
lobes. The nicotine percentage of the hybrid was 0'80 as compared to 1'07 and 0'09 of the tabacum and plumbaginifolia
parents respectively.
Cyclic crossings between various types of tobacco have been
made at Guntur (Anon., 1940).
Kostoff (~939 a) records data on the lethality of gametes
caused by exchange of segments between partially homologous
chromosomes in a Nicotiana species hybrid.
Cytology.-Chromosome numbers in different varieties of
Nicotiana Linn., as observed by different workers, are shown below:

N. tabacum Linn.

n -24 (Pal and Pushkar Nath, 1936).

2n=48 (Pal, 1939).

N.plumbaginifolia Vivo n=10 (Pal and PushkarNath, 1936;

Ramanujam and Joshi, 1942).
2n = 20 (Pal, 1939).
N. multivalvis.
2n=48 (Kostoff, 1937 b).
N. suaveolens
2n=32 (Kostoff, 1937 b).
N. glauca, Grah
2n=24 (Pal, 1939). n=12 Ramanujam and Joshi, 1942).
Regular meiotic divisions of the m gaspore mother
cells and a normal type of development of the female
gametophyte in N. plumbaginifolia were observed by Bhaduri
(1935). During short durations of day light and low temperatures prevailing during the months of December and January
atKarnal very few functional pollen were formed in Pusa 1'.. 56

( 343 )
though the ovules were found to be functional (Kashi Ram,
1935).
Two interspecific sterile hybrids vh., N. tabacum (2n=48) X
N. plumbaginifolia (2n=20) and N. glauca (2n = 24) )( N. plumbaginifolia (2n=20), have been recorded by Pal (1939). At
meiosis variable number of bivalents and univalents have
been observed in the fonner, whereas practically no pairing in
the latter except occasional bival nts. Detailed study of N.
glauca X N. plumbaginifolia was made by Ramanujam and Joshi
(1942) who record practically complete pollen sterility in Fl
presumably resulting from a low degree of synapsis at meiosis.
The F 1 back-crossed to N. glauca yielded triploids with variable
genom combinations. The authors also record their attempts
to produce amphidiploids by back-crossing triploids to N. plumbaginifolia. An interesting observation recorded. by the same
authors is the existence of a considerable difference in the vigour
of the reciprocal hybrid seedlings in the early stages.
Experimental production of variability:-Singh and
Choudhari (1935) observed that seed-exposure to ~-radiation
in Nicotiana tabacum induced the following variations: The
height greatly elongates, the root system ramifies to a greater
extent, the size, shape and colour of the leaves are markedly
affected, xylem bundles greatly develop and flowers become
bigger in size and more conspicuous in fonn. The authQrs
also suggest that treatment with softer doses can be applied with
advantage for producing vigorous and healthy crops, whereas
Kumar and Joshi (1939) record that tobacco seeds when
X-rayed showed a general loss in vigour of growth.
Amphidiploids have been recorded from the crosses, Nicotiana rustica X Nicotiana tabacum (Kostoff, 1937 a) and Nicotiana
multivalvis X Nicotiana suaveolens (Kostoff, 193 7 b) . The origin
of the tetraploid Nicotiana has also been mentioned (Kostoff,
1939 b).
Mi.ceUalleou.:--Natural crossing in N. rtlStica was observed

to be 20 percent. at Pusa, whereas in N. tabacum self-pollination

is more favoured.
Varieties from America and Turkey were tried in Bombay
at the Nadiad Agricultural Station (Main, 1912-13).
Polyembryony in N. plumbaginifolia has been recorded by
Banerji and Bhaduri (1933).
Howard (1913) got an indication of parthenogenesis in
Nicotiana tabacum. The phenomena of parthenogenesis and
parthenocarpy in two varieties of Nicotiana tabacum were studied
by Howard and Kashi Ram (1924) : N. tabacum. Var. Mirodato
showed no evidence of any of these phenomena. Parthenocarpy
was, however, observed in N. tabacum Var. Cuba and also in the
cross between the two. It was found to be associated with
wh ite corolla. According to these authors it might be possible
to induce parthenogenesis by very heavy manuring and irrigation. Howard (1924) observed neither parthenogenesis
nor parthenocarpy in the Indian types of N. rustica.
Other references on tobacco are: Taylor (1909), Chowdhury (1911 -12), Nambiar (1918), Pillai (1924) and Shaw and
Kashi R am (1928).
BmUOGlUPHY A.
(1940). Report agrie. Stat. Madras Pmide~, 1938-39 : 148.
Banerji, I. and Bhaduri, P. N. (1933). Polyembryony in Solanaceae. Cu".
Sci., I : 31O-3JJ.
Bbaduri, P. N. (1935) ' Studies of the female gametophyte in Solanaceae.
J. Indian bot. soc., 14 : 133-149.
Chowdhury, N. C. (I91l-J!.!). Hints on the cultivation and curing of Tobacco.
QIIar. J. Dep. agrie. Bengal, s: 106-'92.
Howard, A. and Howard, G.L.C. (1910 a). Studies in Indian tobacco, No. I.
The types of Nicoliana tabacum L. YcHow Flowered Tobacco. Mem.
Dep. Agrie. India (Bot. Str.), 3 : I-58.
Howard, A. and Howard, G.L.C. (1910 h). Studies in Indian Tobaccos, NO.2.
The types of Nuotiana tabacum L. Mem.Dep. Agrie.India (Bot. Ser'), 3 : 59-176.
Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1915)' The improvement of tobacco
cultivation in Bihar. Agrie. Res. Inst. Pusa, Bull. 50.
Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1916). The improvement of tobacco
cultivation in Bihar. Agru. Res. Inst. Pusa, Bull. SO.
A1W1!)ImOUS,

345 )

Howard, G. L. C. (1919). Studies in Indian tobaccos, No. g. The inheritance of characters in Nicojiana tabacum L. Mem. Dept. Agrie. India (Bot.
Ser.), 6 : 25-114.
Howard, G. L. C. (1924)' The inheritance of characters in Nicoliana ruslica L.
Mem. Dep. Agrie. India (Bot. Str.), 13 : 17-37
Howard, G. L. C. and Kashi RanI (1924), Studies in Indian tobaccos, NO4
Parthenocarpy and Parthenogenesis in two varieties of Nieotiana tabacum L.
Var. Cuba and Var. Mirodajo. Mem. Dep. Agric. India (Bot. Ser.), 13 : 1-16.
Kashi Ram (1931). Studies in Indian tobaccos, No.6. The improvement of
Indian cigarette tobacco by hybridization. Indian). agrie. Sci., I : 455-472.
KasbiRam (1935)' Some observations on tbeseed-setting in a type of tobacco.
Indian J. agrie. Sci., 5 : 355-357.
Kostoff, D. (1937 a). Studies on polyploid plants, XVI. Nieotiana rusticax
Nicoliana tabaeum amphidiploid. Proe. Indian acado Sci., 5 : 237-240.
Kostoff, D. (1937b). Studies on polyploid plants, XVII. Nicotiana mullivalvis (2n=48) x Nicoliana suaveolms (2n=3~) amphidiploid (2n=80). Proc.
Indian acado Sci., 5 : 241-244.
Kostoff, D. (1939 a). Lethality of gametes conditioned by exchange of segments between partially homologous chromosomes in a Nicotiana species
hybrid. Curro Sci., 8: 260.
Kostoff, D. (1939 b). The origin of the tetraploid Nicotiana from Bathurst.
Curro Sci., 8 : 1l0-1I!!.
Kumar, L. S. S. and Joshi, W. V. (1939). Experiments on the effeCt of
X-rays on Pennisllum typhoideum, mustard and tobacco. Indian J. agrie.
Sci., 9 : 675-684.
Main, T. F. (1912-13). Annual Rep. Nadiad agric. Stat. Dep. agric. Bombay,
19 U - 1 3 : 2-4
Majumdar, M. (1931). Studies in Gujarat tobaccos and their improvement.
Mem. Dep. Agric. India (Bot. S".), 18: 69-126.
Nambiar, K. G. (1918). A note on tobacco cultivation in South Kanata.
Madras agric. J., 6: !l64--268.
O'Connor, J. E. (1813). Report on the production of tobacco in India.
Pal, B. P. and Pushkar Natb, (1936). A note on the sterile hybrid between
Nicotiana tabacum L. and Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Vivo Indian J. agric. Sci.,
6 : 828-832.
Pal, B. P. (1939). Rep. Imperial Econ. Bot., Nr:w-Delhi, 1938-39.
Pillai, K. S. (1924) ' Tobacco in Guntur District. Madras agric. J., III :45'"52 .
. Ramanujam, S. and Joshi, A. B. (194!!) . Interspecific hybridization in Nicotiona. A cytogenetical study of the hybrid N. glauca Grab. X N. pllll1l~OIinifolia Vivo Indian J. Gertli. and Pl. hmd., II: 80-97.

346 )
Shaw, F. J. F. and Kashi Ram, (1928). The production of cigarette tobacco
by flu-curing. Agrie. Res. lrlSt. Bull. 187,19 pp. (reprinted 1935) .'
Shaw, F. J. F. and Kashi Ram, (1932). Studies in Indian tobaccos, NO.7.
The types of Nicotiana tabacum. lruJiall}. agrie. Sci., 2 , 345-357.
Singh, B. N. and Choudhari, R. S. (1935) ' Induced morphological, physiological and chemical variations following seed-exposure to X-radiation in
Nicotialla tabacum. Proc. I1Idian acado Sci., I, 435-451.
Taylor, C. S. (1909) . The cultivation of tobacco in Bengal. Quar.}. Dep.
agrie. Bengal, I I : ' 8-14'

BIBUOGRAPHY B.
Bombay, (19:11). Tobacco-A profitable new crop for Kanara District.
Bombay, (1926). The treatment of patches of inferior tobacco in Northern
Gujarat.
Bombay, (1926). The improvement of tobacco in Northern Gujarat.
Bombay, (1926). New type of tobacco seed No.6.
Bombay, (1927). Tobaco cultivation in the Southern Maratha country.
Bombay, (1927). Tobacco as a crop in the Dharwar District.
Bombay, (1929)' Tobacco in Gujarat.
United Provinces. The cultivation of ordinary smoking and chewing tobacco
in the United Provinces.

COFFEE

CofJea Linn.

C. arabica Linn.

Rubiaceae.

Abyssinia is said to be the original home of coffee from where

it was introduced into Arabia in the 4th century A. D. It is
believed that coffee was first introduced into India (Mysore)
in 1600 by a Mohammadan pilgrim named, Baba Budan, who
on his return from Mecca brought seven seeds with him. By
1825 coffee was growing in the Botanical Gardens at Calcutta.
The first systematic plantation of the crop was established

in 1830 near Chickmaglur in Mysore. About the same time

coffee was grown in Shevaroys and Wynad. In the Nilgiris,
plantations were organised in 1846 (Aiyar, 1937). Coffea arabica
Linn., C. robusta Linden., C. [iberica Bul1., C. excelsa A. and C.
sterwphylla G., are the important economic forms of coffee (Shetty,
1939).

347 )

Anstead (1919) emphasises the possibility of improving coffee

by seed selection and hybridization. He records a true b~eed~
ing vigorous healthy type which has been established. by hybri~
dization and which is apparently disease-resistant to a high
degree, good yielding with early maturity and good quality.
Anstead (1921-22) records the following three kinds of seeds
selected at the Coffee Planting Experimental Station, Sidapur.
Seed selected from a few specially good bushes,
Seed of Jackson's hybrid, and
Seed of Kent's arabica (selection).
Planter (1923) mentions hybrids possessing unusual vigour
and disease resistance and crosses made between arabica and
liberica forms.
Thomas (1929) made observations on the varietal resistance
to rust of coffee.
An account of cultivation of coffee has been given by Shetty
(1939). The department of agriculture, Mysore State, also
published the following two bulletins :
1. Coffee: Its cultivation and manuring in South India.
2. Improvement of the coffee industry in Mysore.
BmLlOGRAPHY
Aiyar, S. D. (1937). The story of coffee. Madras acrie. J .,25 : 69.
Anstead, R. D. (1919)' Improvement of coffee by seed selection and hybridization. Agrie. J. India, If: 639-644.
Anstead, R. D. (192HI2). Annual rep. coffel planting txp. stations, Sidapur.
Dep. aerie. Madras, 1921-22 : 1-14.
Planter (1923). Hybrid coffee. Indian Sci. agriculturist, .. : 89-91.
Shetty, K. S. (1939). Coffee in South India. Madras agrie. J., fA7 : 388-400.
Thomas, K. M. (1929)' Some observations on varietal resistance to "rust" of
coffee. Madras agrie. J., I,: 335-341.

TEA
Camellia Linn. C. thea Link. (C. sinensis Linn. Thea sinensis
Linn.). Theaceae.
Captain Charlton established that tea plant is indigenous
to Assam, India (Anon., 1841). An account on the introduction

348

and development of its cultivation in this country has been

giv~ by Carpenter (1928 a) and its spread in different countries has been dealt with by Aiyar (1937).
Chandrasekharan and Ramakrishnan (1929) record a short
botanical description of the species. The following two kinds
of tea plants are distinguished : the Assam (Thea assamica) and
the Chinese (Thea sinensis Linn.), the latter being probably a
cultivated form of the former. Perera (1941) records a nonfermenting type of the tea plant.
Subba Rao (1938) examined the chromosome number in
four varieties of tea, grown in South India as shown below:-

Chromosomes in Tea.

1.

Variety.

2n

South Indian seed (A).

30

2. Bonaccord
3. Chapleton
4-.

15
15
15

China

A series of papers have been published by Stone (1939 a, b, c;

1940 a, b, c) recording in details the tea cultivation in South
India. Its cultivation in the Punjab has been briefly described by Singh (1939).
Other important references are: Carpenter (1928 b, c: 1936).
BIBLIOGRAPHY /
~rwI!)llllOW, (1841). Proc. agrie. /tortic. Soc. India, 1841 (Sept.) : 12.
Aiyar, S. D. (1937). The story of tea. Madras agrie. ].,115 : 300-308.
Carpenter, P. H. (1928 a). Tea in North-East India, I. Aerie.]. India, 113: 5- 15'
Carpenter, P.H. (1928 b). Tea in North-East India, II. Aerie.]. India,1I3 :
156- 165'
Carpenter, P. H. (1928 c). Tea in North-East India, III. Agric. ]. India,
113: 256-266.
Oarpenter, P. H. (1936). Tea in North-East India. Sci. & cultu", II : 239-247.
Chandrasekharan, S. N. and Ramakrishnan, T. S. (1929)' Botany of some
uaeful plants, II. Madras a,rric. ]., 17 : 7-16

(
Singh, S. P. (1939)'
6 : 29-30.

349

Tea cultivation at Palampur. Punjab agril;, Coil. Mag.,

Perera, P. R. (1941). A non-fermenting type of the lea plant,

Linn. Curro Sci., :10 : 485'

Camellia thea

Stone, E, A. (1939 a). Tea cultivation in South-India. Madras agrie. J.,

27 : 88-91.
Stone, E. A. (1939 b). Tea cultivation in South-India. Madras agrie. J.,
27 : 119- 121.
Stone, E. A. (1939 c) . Tea cultivation in South-India. Madras agrie. J.,
27 : I 59-161 .

Stone, E. A. (1940 a). Tea cultivation in South-1ndf' Madras agrie. J.,

28 : 168-169'
Ston , E. A. (1940 b). Tea cultivation in South-India. Madras agrie. J .,
28 : 221-222 .
Stone, E . A. (1940 c). Tea cultivation in South-India. Madras agrie. J.,
28 : 417-420.
Subba Rao, M. K. ( 1937) . Chromosome behaviour in tea. Annual Rep. Utlited
plant Ass. , South India , :1937 : 15'
Subba R ao, M, K. (1938) . Chromosome in Camellia thea (the tea plant).
Curro Sci" 6 : 457,

INDIAN HEMP
CanlUJbis Linn. C. indica Lamk (C. satilJa Linn.). Moraceae.
The plant is cultivated for the production of a drug, known
as Ganja, a great stimulant. It is a dioecious crop in which
natural crossing and wind pollination is the rule. The first
publication appears to have been made by the department of
agriculture, Madras Presidency, in 1893-94 entitled, "The
cultivation and manufacture of ganja in Madras."
Varieties. Pal (1934) refers to three strains of Indian
hemp, CanlUJbis sativa L. which were isolated at Pusa. Of them
Type 1 and 2 promise well for garlja production, the former giving
high yields and the latter producing drug of a superior quality,
whereas Type 3 is tall growing, not uitabl for ganja production, but it throws out the least number of monoecious plants.
It is, therefore, considered that it may be of some use m
sex studies (Arum., 1934-35).

( 350

Some selection work on this crop in Bihar has been done by

the Agricultural Department of that state.
Sex problem.. The following sex ratios were observed in
different types of hemp studied at Pusa during 1932-33, (Anon.,
1932-33). In previous years also sex ratio studies have been
carried out in detail at th~ same research centre and for details
ear1ier annual reports may be consulted.

Sex ratio in Indian hemp observed at Pusa in ]932-33.

Material

Pusa H-I7
Pusa Type 1
Pusa Type 2
B. and O. Type

Number of
Male
plants
16
170
102
174

Female
plants.
20
378
215
288

I
I

Ratio of

Male
plants.
11
1
1

Female
plants.
1'2-5 2'22
2'11
}'65

Pollination carried out with fresh pollen and stale pollen

showed the ratios of male : female: monoecious individuals in
the progenies as 1 : 2'98 : 074, when fresh pollen were employed
and 1 : 3 : 1'32, when stale pollen were used (Anon., 1926-27).
It has been emphasised that these findings do not support the
conclusions reached by Ceiselsky who claims that hemp pollinated with fresh pollen produces a great preponderance of
staminate plants but that in hemp pollinated with stale poilen
a preponderance of carpellate plants is obtained. Satyanarayana (1934) records observations on the identification of sex
by botanical characters. According to this author male and
female flowers can be identified by their shape, size and appearance in very early stages, the males are short, ovoid or round
which appear iQ clusters; the females are linear or spear-shaped
which occur in spikes, excepting the individual female flowers
seen in the axils of leaves on the main stem. In case where no
trace of flower is seen on the plant, the presence of small vegetative buds in the axils Qfleaves on the maln stem is al:mo_st a sul'~

( 351
indication of its being a male, if not a perfect male it will at
least be a monoecious one which is equally bad.
BmLIOGRAPHY.

Anonymous, (1926-27). Sci. Rep. Imperial In.rt. agric. Res. PUso, 1926-27 : !12.
Anonymous, (1932-33). Sci. Rtp. Imperial Inst. agric. Rts. Pusa, 1932-33 : 72.
A7Io,!),mous, (1934-35)' Sci. Rep. Imperial Inst. agric. Res. Pusa, .934-35: 62.
Pal, B. P. (1934-). Recent progress in plant breeding at Pusa. Agrie. LiveStk. India, of: 505-15'
Satyanarayana, P. (1934). Identification of sex in gonja (Cannabis indica
Lamk) by botanical characters. Madras agric. J., 22 : 3-6.

Cummin seed.
Cuminum Linn. C. cyminum Linn. (C. odorum Salisb.) Umbelliferae.
Cummin-seed is an important spice and condiment. It is
known by various names such as <ira, or Jeera (Central
Provinces, Assam and Punjab), Jeo (Sind), J ilakara, Siragum
(Madras). Brief accounts of its cultivation are given by Ram
Rau (1889), Rao (1918), Ramachandran (1933) and Naidu
(1940).

Allium Linn.

Garlic.
A. sativum Linn. Liliaceae.

I t is an important spice and is locally known as Lasun

(Central Provinces), Rasun (Assam, Bengal). Notes on the
cultivation of this spice have been recorded by Rao (1932) and
Naidu (1940).

Coriandrum Linn.

Coriander.
C. sativum Linn. Umbelliferae.

Coriander, known as Dhania or DhaTla (Central Provinces, Assam, Bengal), is generally grown in the black soil
tracts in Southern India. PilIai (1937) gives descriptions of
the South Indian types of coriander and records both types of
t!Qwers bi-sexual and uni-sexual. He also made observations
on its anthesis.

( 352 )
Chromosome ntunber in this species has been reported to
be 2n=22 by Patel and Narayana (1938).
The following publications were issued by the departments
of agriculture, Madras and Bombay :
Madras (1934, 1934-35). Coriander-How to improve its
quality for marketing-by P. V. Ramayya.
Bombay (1936). Coriander cultivation and importance of
marketing produce in clean condition.
Accounts of cultivation of this crop have been given by
Pillai (1937) and Naidu (1940).

Curcuma Linn.

Turmeric.
C. Zanga Linn.

Zingiberaceae.

Turmeric is grown for its rhizomes, which forms an important condiment and is known by Baldi (Central Provinces
and United Provinces) and Halad (Bombay).
Two varieties are recorded which were tried in Bengal:
(1) deshi or country variety (2) Patna variety. The latter is of
a richer colour and gives a better outturn (Finucane, 1886).
Rajaratnam (1923), Narasimham (1931) and Rao (1932)
give accounts of its cultivation in Southern India.
The following publications were issued by the departments
of agriculture, Madras and Bombay:
Madras (1930, 1930-31). Turmeric cultivation.
Madras (1935-36). Note on turmeric.
Bombay (1927). An improved method of growing turmeric
in the Deccan.

Opium poppy.
Papaver Linn. P. somniferum Linn. Papaveraceae.
The plant yields the opium of commerce. Howard, Howard
and Rahman (1910) isolated races of this species which possess
as ~jgh a morphine content as 20 percent. The authors observed nearly 92 percent. natural crossing in their experiments.
Leake and Annett (1920) also record that in some cases as

( 353 )
many as 25 percent. of the offsprings of a type have been identified as crosses.
Leake and Ram Prasad (1920,22) studied the Indian
opium poppy genetically, details of which have been recorded
in the Journal of Genetics, Vol. X (1920) and XII (1922).
Accounts of cultivation of this plant have been given by
Bomonji (1886).

Cardamom.
Eletiaria Maton. E. cardamomum Maton. (Cardamomum oJJicinale
Salisb.). Zingiberaceae.
Cardamom is locally known as Chota ;)iaclli or Elachi (Assam,
Central Provinces).
Swamy (1940) described three varieties of this species. He
also made certain changes in the description of the species recorded by Hooker (1894) and Fischer (1928).
An account of cardamom cultivation in th Bodi hills has been
given by Subbiah (1940).

Betel nut or Areca flut.

Areca Linn. A. catechu Linn. Palmae.
Areca catechu Linn. is grown for producing nuts known as
Supari (Hindi) which are used for chewing with the leaf of
the b tel pepper. An account of its cultivation ha b en given
by Ayyar (1932). The departm ot of agriculture, Mysore
State, has also done some work on the crop.
Betel-vine
Piper Linn.

P. betel Linn.

Piperaceae.

Piper betel Linn., betel-vine, is grown chiefly for its leaves

which are chewed along with the areca nut and other spices,
throughout the country as a stimulant. Local1y it is called Pan
(Hindi). Finucane (1886) records three different varieties of
betel: (1) The Bangala or country, (2) The Khas or allchipan
and (3) Karl2urkath or the sweet.

354

Balakrishnan (1930 a, b) gives a general account of this

vine. He also mentions four different varieties grown in the
Coimbatore District.
An account of the cultivation of this plant in the vicinity
of Sabour (Bihar) has been given by Dutt (1911-12).
Satagopan (1929) records some important data collected
at the Betel-vine Station, Vellalur (Madras). Important facts
are: H(i) the improvement of drainage alone will result in at
least 25 % increase of production and (ii) the application of
lime to betel soil is attended with benefits which are both
physical and biological in effect."

Ginger.
Zingiber Adans. Z. officinalis Rose. Zingiberaceae.
Ginger, known as Adrak (Central Provinces), is obtained
from the tuberous rhizome of Zingiber officinalis Rose. Accounts
of its cu1tivation are given by Aiyangar (1923), Rajan (1930)
and the department of agriculture, Madras (1911-12).

Eugenia Linn.

Clove.
Eugenia earyoplzyllata Thunb.

Myrtaceae.

It is grown on a small scale in certain parts of South India.

The clove is the un expanded flower bud which is collected from
the plant, when it is dull blood red in colour and is then dried
in the Sun. A short account of its cultivation appears in the
Madras agrie. y., 21, (1933) : 58-60.

Trigonella Linn.

Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. Leguminosae.

Trigonella joenum-graeeum Linn. is locally known as Methi.

The s eds are used as a spice and the leaves as a v getable. Brief
reference to this crop has been made ' by Ramakrishnan and
Ohandrasekharan (1928).
Piper Linn. Piper longum Linn. Piperaceae.
The fruit of Piper longum Linn., known as Pipul (Assam),

355

Pipla muk (Bengal), is used as a condiment. A shott account

of its cultivation has beengiven by Bhukta (1932).
.!
MEDICINAL PLANTS
Cinchona.
CirlChona Linn. Rubiaceae.
Cinchona was introduced into India and plantations started
in the early sixties of the last century. Bal (1939) gives early
history and other informati.ons. The Jpecies cultivated in India
are C. hedgeriana Moens., C. officirlialis Linn., C. succirubra Par.,
and hybrids between them. C. robusta, evolved from a cross
between C. officinialis and C. succirubra, is also under cultivation
in some places in India.

Cassia Linn. Leguminosae.

Species of Cassia are generally used in medicine. Microsporogenesis in C. didymabotryo Fresen. was worked out by Sethi
(1930) who observed invariably 14 bivalents. Datta (1933)
records n = 13 for Cassia tora.
An account of the cultivation of Senna (Cassia angustifolia
Vahl.) has b ~cn given by Pillai (1932).
Pyrethrum.
The following two spec'ies have been under trial in India
(Chakrabarti, 1942; Chopra and Badhwar, 1938).
P. roseum.
P. cinerarifo~i!tm.
Other .medicinal plants.
In recent years, work on the Indian medicinal plants has
been extensively carri ci out by Gol. Ohopra. In a publication
Ohopra and Badhwar (1938) record different species which
can be cultivated successfully in different parts of India. Breeding and genetical investigations wit~ these plants have not 0
far been attempted .

( 356 )
BmLlOGllAPHY.
Aiyangar, C . R. (1923).
a,grie. J., n : 72-74

Ginger cultivation in the Tanjore District.

Madras

Ayyar, P. S. S. (1932). A short note on arecanut palm and its diseases in

Puttur Taluk (South Kanara). Madras agrie. J., 20 : 324-329'
Bal, S. N. (1939). Cinchona plant. Sci. & Cult., ~ : 617-619.
Balakrishnan, M. R . (1930 a). Betel vine. Madras agrie. J., 18: 3113-339'
Balakrishnan, M. R. (1930 b). Betel vine. Madras agrie. J., 18 : 403-10.
Bhukta, N. M . (1932). The cultivation of Pippali (Piper longum) in the Agency
Tracts. Madras agrie. J., 20 : 239-241.
Bomonji, N . (1886). Culture of the opium poppy. Madras agrie. J.,
. 'I: 304-.310.
Chakrabarti, S. (1942). bldian Fmg., 3 : 97.
Chopra, R . N. and Badhwar, R. L. (1938). Agrie. Live-Stk. India, 8 : 222-1134'
Datta, R .M. (1933)' Aneuploidy in the genu~ "Ca~ia". Curro Sci . I : 364.
Dutt, S. K. (1911-111). Cultivation of Pan (betel leaf) at Sabour. Quar.

J. Dep. agrie. Bengal,s: 9 2 -94.

Finucane, M. ( 1886). Annual R~. Dep. agrie. Bengal, part II. 1885-86 : 55-57
Fischer, C. E. C. (1928). Flora, Madras Presidtllcy, Pari VIlI.
Hooker, J. D. ( 1894)' Flora, British India, 6 : 251.
Howard, A. Howard, G. L. C. and Rahman, (1910). Crops with open
flowers: Mem. Dep. Agrie. India (BDl. Ser.), 3 : 321.
Leake, H. M. and Annett, H. E. (19:20). Investigations concerning the production ofIndian opium for medical purposes. Agrie. J. India, 15 : 124-134.
Naidu, M. C. ( 1940). Notes on some spice crops. Madras agrie. J., 118 :
12 5- 1 3 2 .
Narasimham, P. L. (1931).

Chayapasupu or hilJ turmeric. Madras agrie.

J.,

1:9 : 25 6 - 2 58 .

Patel, J. S. and Narayana, G. V. (1938). Chromosome numbers in some

economic flowering plan ts. CUff. Sci., 6 : 509-510.
Pillai, R. C. (1932). Cultivation of Senna in Tinnevelly. Madras agrie. J.,
20 : 488-490.
Pillai, S. M . (1937). Preliminary studies in coriander (Coriandrum salivum L ).
MatJras agrie. J., 115 : 143- 1 46.
Rajan, (1930). Ginger cultivation. Madras agrie. J., 18 : 6-8 .
Rajaratnaro, C. S. (1923). Cultivation of turmeric in the Bhavani and Erode
Taluks. Madras agrie. J., I I : 42-49.
Ramachandran, S. V. (1933). The cultivation of cumin in the Periakulam
Taluk. Madras agrie. J., AI : 261-1263.
Ramakrishnan, T. S. and Chandrasekharan, S. N. (19128). Botany of some
UJeful planu-IV. Madras agrW. J., .16: 371-376.

357

Ram Rau, A. (1889). An account of cumin seed cultivation in Cuddapah.

Madras]. agric., Sludmts' Ass., 3 : 17-23.
Rao, K. V. S. (1932). Cultivation of turmeric in Guntur District. Madras
agrie. J., 20 : lI79-287.
Rao, M. J. (1932). A short note on the cultivation of garlic in Sirugappa
(Bellary District). Madras agrk. ]., 20 : 329-331.
Rao, V. R. (1918). Notes on the cultivation of cumin seerl, Cuminum eyminum.
Madras agrie. ]., 6 : 127-129.
Subbiah, M. S. (1940). Cardamom cultivation in the 'Sodi hills. MadraS
agrie. J ., .8 : 379-388.
Satagopan, V. (1929)' Experiments at the betel-vine station, VcUalUI'.
Madras agrie. J., 17 : 174-81
Swamy, R . L. N. (1940). Varieties of Cardamom in cultivation in Mysore.
I"dian J. agr;e. Sci., 10 : 103-132.
Sethi, M. L. ( 1930). Microsporogenesls in Cassia didymabolryo. J . India 601.
Soc., 9 : 126- 1 39.

CHAPTER X.
GRASSES AND FODDER
. The problem of improvement of pastures in India was taken
up as far back as 1900 and since then several papers have appe.ared, dealing chiefly with the botanical classification and
chemical analysis of the indigenous wild fodder plants. Attem1'ts have also been made to acclimatise foreign plants and a
number of them have been successfully introduced in some parts.
'of this Country. Literature on selection and breeding of these
crops is very scanty.
Burns (1915, 1939) and Bharucha (1938) mention certain
lines to tackle the fodder problem of India and experiments on
those lines have been conducted by a number of inves6gators
viz., Burns, Kulkarni and Godbole (1925, 1928), Murari (1938)
Kohli (1952) has recorded useful information on the comparison of differellt methods of testing used in the breeding of
cross pollinated forage crops and grasses.
The following are the important fodder crop plants found
in India :Trifolium alexandrium Linn.; Clover, Egyptian berseem,
Melilotus parmflora Desf.; Clover, Indian senji. ~
Trifolium resupinatum Linn.; Clover, Kabuli shaftal.
Cyamopsis psoraloiides DC.; Cluster bean.
Euchlaena mexicana Schrad.; Teosinte grass.
Pennisetum purpureum Schum.; Grass.
Panicum maximum or }
.
PafLicumjumentorum.
Grass, Gumea.

Andropogon sorghum; Cholam, Great millet.

Medicago sativa, Lucerne (Thompstone, 1909).
Andropogon purpureo Sericeus (Kulkarni, 1925)
Avena sativa Linn.; Oats (Jai).
Avena sterilis Linn.;
Phaseolus trilobus Ait.; (Venkataratnam, 1939).

359

Amaranthus Spp. (Raju, 1931)'.

Sorghum Spp.
Dendrocalamus strictus. (Richharia and Kotval, 1940).
0puntia elatior Mill.
Helianthus annuus Linn.; Sunflower.
Zea mays Linn.; Maize.
Pennisetum claudeslinum Hochst. (Brown, 1924).
Pennisetum typllOideum.
Lolium italicum. Italian rye grass (Brown, 1914).
Iseilema spp. (Hob, 1917).
Panicum maximum Jacg. (Guinea grass).
Chloris gayana Kunth. (Rhodes grass).
Pennisetum purpureum Schum. (Elephant grass or Napier grass).
Andropogon halepense. (Sorghum sudanmse Stapf.) (Sudan grass).
Panicum mutirum. (Para grass).
Eragrostis abyssinica Link. (Tef grass).
Some African Digitaria Species.
Trifolium alexandrinum Linn.
The common grasses of the Central Provinces and Berar
have been recorded by Clouston aud Plyman (1920) and those
of South India by Jivanna Rao (1923). Ayyangar and Narayanan (1940 a and b) published accounts of the fodder-crops
grown in the Madras Presidency and Jacob (1940) described
grass flora of North and South Arcot district with special refe
renee to fodder grasses. Kwnar (1938) refers to some Australian
grasses having been acclimatised under Poona conditions.
Some important references regarding individual crops .are
given below.
..
Medicago sativa Linn.
Thompstone (1909) records that in certain parts of India,
Alfalfa Medicago sativa Linn., has been grown and only two or
three varieties are generally cultivated. The newly imported
European seeds do not thrive well. Only acclimatised seeds
have been found most satisfactory.

360 )

Pennisetum claudestinum.
Brown (1924) records that Pennisetum claudestinum, a grassfrom South Africa, may prove superior to dlzub (Cyncdon dacty
Ion) in India.
Lotium italicum.
Brown (1914) records that Italian rye-grass, Lolium italicum
has been shown to be successful in the North-West Frontier
Province and the Punjab.
Iseilema spp.
The genus, Iseilema, includes a very valuable forest fodder
grass in the Indian peninsula. Hob (1917) records the following two Indian species of the genus.
Iseilema anthepllOroids Hack.
Iseilema laxum Hack.
He gives a key which, according to him, will render the
identification of the Indian species of this genus easy.
Dendrocalamus strictus.
Clouston and P1yman (1920) emphasise the utility of Bamboo
Dendrocalamus strictus, as fodder more especially in years of drought.
Chromosome number in this species has been determined by
Richharia and Kotwal (1940) to be 2n=72.
Panicum maximum Jacq.
Rao (1910) gives an account on the cultivation of Guinea
grass in this country and recommends that it can make a useful fodder.
Berseem (Trifolium~alexandrium Linn.)
The various typ s of clover grown in Egypt belong to Trifolium alexandrium. They are known under the name berseem.
Marriott (1915) records that there are four chief varieties of this
fodder, vi~., Fahi, Saidi, Miscawi and Khadrawi. The Miscawi
type is grown in Lahore. Two varieties ofberseem, viz., Fahl and

( 361

Miscawi imported from Egypt were tried in Sind.

variety proved useful (Jenkins, 1934).

Neither

Helianthus annuus Linn. (as a fodder crop).

Two types of sunflower Helianthus annuus Linn. have been
recorded viz., (1) Single head variety, and (2) Multiple
head variety, the former being higher yielder with more developed seeds (Jenkins, 1933) .

Ipomoea hispida Roem.

Ayyangar and Rajagopal (1939) record that Ipomoea hispida Roem. & Sch., a weed, can be used as a valuable fodder
plant. A botanical description of the weed is also given.
Euchlaena mexicana (Teosinte) X Zea mays (Maize).
Selections of a few vigorous fodder types from the Cross,
Euchlaena mexicana Schrad. X Zea mays Linn., have been made
and the botanical characters of the parents and their progeny
in the different generations. upto F 6' have been studied (Kumar.
1939).
LEMON GRASS
Cymbopogon Spreng. Gramineae.
Lemon grass is grown at a number of places in India. A kind
of oil is distilled from its leaves. For ornamental purposes, it
is also cultivated as a garden crop. Occasionally it is used for
medicinal purposes and for flavouring tea.
Somatic and meiotic chromosomes in some species of this
genus were examined by Babu (1936). In somatic chromosomes
the somatic pairing was observed. Meiosis was studied from
zygotene onward. The number of chiasmata increased with
the increase in the length of the chromosomes, but the increase was not proportional. At I metaphase in C. polyneuros
(2n=20) and C. caesius (2n=22), the bivalents were seen
arranged as in "Floating magnets". In the latter the eleven
bivalents were arranged with 8 all round and 3 in the centre.

362

In the former ' S an round and 2 in the centre. Secondary

associations were observed, the constitution of the haploid set
being represented as AA BB CC DD EE for C. poly~uros andAAA
BB CC DD EE for C. caesius. Thus the species are secondarily
balanced polyploids. Chromosome numbers in other species
are shown below:2n.
C. flexuosus W. Wats. 20,40,39.
(Three di.ferent varieties).
C. coloratus Stapf.
40
40
C. martini W. Wats.
C. nardus Rendle.
20
C. citratus Stapf.
60
They thus form a multiple series of five excepting numbers
22 anc\ 39.
Khas Khas grass.
Vetiveria Thou. V. Zi.tanoides Nash (Andropogon muricatus Reta.)
Gramineae.
Rhind (1930) described the following three oil~bearing grasses
from Burma.
1. Cymbopogon claudestinus Stapf.
2. Cymbopogon nov. spec . .
3. Cymbopogon virgatus Stapf. nov. . spec. .
1

The grass . occurs wild in na~ure and is. locally known. as

Khas Khas. A scented oil known as vetiver oil is extracted.
from the roots of this plant.
Chromosome number in Vetiveria ZiI:anoides Nash. has bee];}
observed to be 2n=30 by Patel' and Naray'an (19.3S).
Other references of general botanical interest have b~eI\
jnc1uded under Bibliography A and leaflets and bulletins published
by departments of agriculture, under Bibliography B. /. C;. A. ~ .~_,
.(1939). records references covering various aspects of grasses
and fodder.

..

1( '363 )

,Grass mixtures and various kinds offoddervarieties have been

' Under cultivation in different localities. Varieties recommended by the Punjab departro nt of agriculture are shown below:
Jowar No. 20 :-It is a very tall growing non-sweet stl'ain with slender stems
and medium broad leaves with Head long and lax. Seed is brown with
persistent dark purple or black glumes. It has given 500 maunds of green
stuff per acre. It makes hay of good keeping quality.
Jowar No, 21 :-It is a sweet selection with medium thick stem and broad leaves.
It has a medium lax ear and creamy seeds. Outturns of 587 maunds
of green fodder per acre have been obtained. In the North Punjab its
superiority over other jowars has been definitely established.
Jowar No, 100 :-It is a new promising selection and is very sweet with medium
thick stems and very broad leaves. Head is big and compact, seed
plump with attractive light creamy colour, It gives good fodder and seed
yield. I t has given the highest outturns of green fodder.
Cowpea No. I :-It has a bushy and spreading habit. Seed is kidney shaped
with buff back ground. It is a very good early fodder. It can be sown in
mixtures with other non-legumes like maize and jowar.
Mo'" type NO.3 :-It is the best moth type. Leaves have narrow lobes. It has
a highly spreading habit. Seed is light brown and plump. It gives good
yields of green fodder and is drought resistant.
Teosinte:-It is a new fodder introduced recently into the Punjab. It is just
like maize in vegetative growth with the exception that it tillers profusely.
Seed is not borne on cobs like maize hut lies loose in husks at the nodes.
It has given encouraging results everywhere under irrigation. Its chief
importance lies in the fact that it supplies green fodder late in the khari]
season. Yields of mOre than ,400 maunda of green fodder have been obtained.
Sudttn grass (Andropogon sorghum var. sudanensir) :-It is an introduction from
abroad which has done very well. It is an annual plant with slender
leafy stems and high tiIlering capacity. Panicle is very loose.
If 50W~ in the end of March, it becomes ready for first cutting in May, and
continues to give a number of cuttings of green fodder (3-4), till OctoberNovember, according to the conditions of soil and irrigation etc.
Elephant grass or Napier grass:-It is a perennial grass which was introduced
into this province about a decade ago. It is planted from cane sets or
root stocks only, as it does not aet seed. It can give a number of cuttinga
of green fodder from early summer to mid winter. Outtunu are very high
and 1000 manuds per acre are usual.
Btrsum:-The I7USgari berseem has always given higher yields of green fodder
and larger number of cuttings than other varieties. It gives yields varying

364

.-6

from 500 to 1000 maunds of green fodder per acre in

cuttinga. It
sets fair seed under favourable conditions. Usually 4-5 maunds leed per
acre is obtained.

Oa/.s-Lyallpur No. I :-It is a selection from local oats. It is the earliest maturing lype with leaf margin' sparsely hairy.
In trials it has invariably given the highest outturns of grain. and yields as
high as 50 maunds per acre have been obtained. Being quick growing
and early maturing the yield of green fodder is not as high as in some other
strains.
Weston I I :-It is an early maturing and tall growing selection from foreign
oats with very broad dark green leaves having a blui~b tinge and a thick
stem. It has yielded more than 400 maunds green fodder per acre in aU
teJts. Leaf margins are bairless. Seed bas a smoky tinge.
Brunker 10:-lt is an early maturing selection with medium thick stem. Leaves are fine and medium broad with hair on their margins. Yields of
more than 400 maunds per acre cao be obtained.
Fo. S. 11 29 :-It is a late strain from the local oats, having very fine and narrow
leaves witb hairs on their margins.
The panicle is smaller than other
varieties, but attains a very good heigbt. In trials it has given very
high yields of green fodder.
Admirably sui led for the barani conditions, prevailing in the North Punjab.
Algerian oats :-It resembles Fo. S. 1/29 oat in vegetative characters, but matures
a week to ten days later. It has proved to be very high yielding, both for
fodder and sced.
/trench oals:-It has coarse, dark green and broad leaves with a bluish tinge
and is the latest ripening type in this province. It gives high yields of
green fodder but very low outturns of seed. It, however, suits irrigated
parts of the province only.
Japan whil41eaved rape :-Of the many rapes tried for fodder Japan whiCe or light
green leaved ra.p, has given the best results. Invariably Japan whit' leaved
has given high yields of palatable green fodder. Outtums of 5(>0-600
matmw per acre have been obtained. It aupplies fodder in early winter.
BIBLIOGRAPH~

A.

A,,'mJmous, (1889). Rough list of Indian fodder-yielding trees, shrubs and

herbs, Government of India publication, Calcutta, 188g.
Achariar, K. Ranga and Mudaliyar, C. T. (1921). A hand-book of some
South Indian grasses. Madras (1921).
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Narayanan, T. R. (1940 a). Fodder crop. in the
Madras PresidencY-A review. Madras agri4. J., a8 : IN4.

365
Ayyangar, G. N. R. and Narayanan, T . R. (1940 b).
54-62 .

Madras agrie J ., 118 :

Ayyangar, G. N . R . and Raj agopal, N . 8. (1939). Ipomaea hispida Roem

and 8ch. A useful fodd er weed. Madras agrie. J.,1I7 : 47-49.
Banerji, N .N. (1908). Lucerne (Medieago sativa) Quar. J. Dept. agMe., Bengal,
I : 215-218.
Banerji, N . N . (I909) . Guinea grass (PanicumJumtlltorum) Quar. J. Dept. agrie.
Bengal, !Z : 14.-16.
Babu, C. N. (1936) . Cytological studies in Cymbopogo/l spp. Proe. Ass. eco. Bioi.,
of : 12.
Bharucha, F. R . (1938). The problcmof grass land improvemenlin India. Curro
Sci., 6 : 600-601.
Blatter, E and MaCann, G. (1935) ' The Bombay grasses. Sci. Monograph
No. 5. Imlm;al Council of Agrie. Research.
Bose, R. D . (1938) . Agrie. Live-stk., 8 : 245- 2 5 2
Drown , W. R. (1914)' Rye-grass and clover in India. Agric. J . Illdia, 9 :
87-9 1
Brown, W. R. (1924) ' Kikuyu (Pen/lisetum elaudeslillum}. A new pasture grass
for India. Agric. J. India, 19 : 32-34.
Burns, W . (1915)' The improvement of natural grass land in India . Agric.
J . Tndia, 10 : 288-293.
Burnq, W . (1922). Some notes on flowers and grasses. Poona acrie. Coll. Mag.,
14 : (No.2).
Burns, W. (1923). Variations in Andropogon anlll/fntus and Andropogoll caricosus.
Indian Sci. Con~ress (Lucknow Ses.tion ). 1923.
Burns, W. (1931). An c.xpc:rimcnt in the iroprovoment of forest grass land.
Indian For., 57 : 601-609
Burns, W. (1939)' The botanical side of the grassland problem in India.
Agrie. Live-slk. India, 9 : 7-9.
Burns, W., Kulkarni and Godbole, 8. R. (1925)' A study of orne Indian
grasses and grasslands. Mem. Dep. A.gric. India (Bot. SeT.), 14 : I-57
Burns, W ., Kulkarni and Godbole, S. R . (l928). Further studies of Indian
grasses and grasslands. Mem. Dep. Agrie. India (Bot. Ser.), 16 : 101-143.
Chaturvedi, M. D. (1938) . Dub grass cultivation. Leaflet, Forest Dtp. United
Provine,s.
Clouston, D . and Plyman, F. J. (19~0). Prin ipal fodders in the Central Provinces and Berar Elc. Agrie. J. India, 15 : 380-385 '
Goldstream (1889)' Illustra tions of the grasses of the outh Punjab. Edinburgh,

188g.
Duthi, J. F. (1883)' A list of the grasses of North-Western India, indigenous
and cultivated. Roarkel, 1883'

366 )

Duthi, J. F. (1886). Illustrations of the indigenous fodder grasses of the plains

of the North-Western India. Roorkee, 1886.
Duthi,J. F. (1888). The fodder grasses of Northern India. Roorkee, 1888.
Gilling, H. T. (1915)' Fodder in India. A treatise on grasses and crops,
their characteristics and cultivation. Calcutta, 1915.
Godbole, S. R. (1934) Some forest trees and shrubs from the Bombay Presidencyused as fodder for animals. Poolla agrie. Coll.Mag.,!l.6 : (Nos. 1 and 2).
Graham, R. J. D. (1913). List of grasses and sedges in the Nagpur and
Telenkheri farms. Govl. Publicatjoll (Dep. aerie.) Nagpur, 19'3.
Hob, R . S. (1915)' A new species offorest grass. Indian For. Res., 5 (part 6).
Hob, R. S. (1917). The Indian species of Iui/ema. Agrie. J. India, I2 : 125-13 I.
Hob, R. S. A notorious Indian fore~ t grass. Indian For. , 39 : 259-63.
Jacob, K. C . (1938). Grass flora of the Kollegal Forest division with short
notes and vernacular names wherever available. Indian Forest, 64 :
4 1 9-4 2 9'
Jacob, K. C. (1940) . Grass flora of North and South Arcot districts with
special reference to fodder grasses. Madras agrie. J., 118 : 63-68.
Jenkins, W.J. (1933) . AnnualRep. Dep. agrie., Sind, 1931-311 : 65.
Jenkins, W . J. (1934). Annual Rep. Dep. agrie., Sind, 1932 -33 : 35
Jivanna, Rao, P. S. (1923). Some common fodder grasses of South India.
Madras agrie. J., I I : 77-81.
Kohli, S. P. (1952). Comparison of different methods of testing used in
. the breeding of cross pollinated forage crops and grasses. Indian J.
Genet. & Pl. Breed., 12 ; 5!l-68.
Kulkarni, L. B. (1925)' Germination test of the grass seeds. Poana agric.
Coil. Mag., 17 : 57-8t.
Kumar, L. S. S. (1938). Annual Rep. Dep. agrie. Bombay, 19:)7-38 :218.
Kumar, L. S. S. (1939). Annual Rep. Dep. agrie. Bombay, .938-39: 187.
Luthra,]. S. (1932). How to raise good seed of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum). Punjab agrie. Dept., 9 : (NO.1).
Marriot, A. S. (1915)' Note on the cultivation of berseem. Agrie. J. India,
10: 81-85.
Misra, S. K. (1923). "Broom Corn", a new fodder crop. Agric. Res. Inst. Pusa.
Bull. No. 150.

Mitra, S. K. and Sen Gupta, D. M. (1934). Some common wild granes,

. Sedges and pasture land legumes of Assam. The Assam Gout. Prus,
Shillong, .934.
Menoll, K. U. (1923). Elephant grass or Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum).
Agrie.Res. Inst.Pusa.Bull. No. 150.

Murari, T. (1932). Palatability ofwcecls. Madras agric. J., 20 : (No.3).

Mllrari, T. (1933) A study of the root system of the . common grasses etc.
Madras agrie. ]., III ; (No.4),

367
Murari, T. (1938). Green grass. Madras agrie. J., 26 : 296-298.
Murari, T. and Kunhiku lty, M. P. ( 1935)' Nutritive value of teosinte flour.
Madras agrie. J., 113 : (No.9)
Patel,J. S. and Narayan, C. V . (1938). Chromosome numb ra in some
economic flowering plants. Curr.Sei., 6 :508-510.
Raju, G. J. (1931). Koyyathotakura (Amaranthus Spp.) as green fodder.
Madras agrie. J., 19 : 350-351.
Rao, D. L. N. (1910). Cultivation of guinea grass. Agrie. J. India, 5 : 362-366
Read, W. S. (1933). An "All-the-year-round fodder crop" sunflower
(Heliantllus annllus). Agrie. Live-Stk. India, 3 : (par t 3)
Read, W. S. ( 1936). A note on the most suitable fodder groups for live-stock
in Northern India. Agrie. Live-St". India, 6 : 11-24.
Rhind, D. (1930). A note on three oil-bearing gras,es from Burma. Agrie.
J . India, ~5 : 327-329.
Richharia, R. H. and Kotval,]. P. (1940). Chromosome number in bamboo
Dendrocalamus strictus. Indian J. agrie. Sci., 10 : 133.
Smith, F. ( 1909). Juar and fodder crops in Bengal. Q]tar. J. aCrie. Dept.
Bengal, II : 160-162. Symonds, (1886). Indian grasses (2nd Edition) Madras, 1886.
Thompstone, E. (1909). Lucerne or alfalfa cultivation. Agric. J . India, .:
3 19-334'
Venkataratnam, G. (1939)' The Scope of Pillipesara (Phaseolus trilobus) in
the solution of the fodder problem. Madras agrie. J., 27 : 32 4-326.

BIBLIOGRAPHY B.
Assam, (1928). Guinea grass cultivation.
Assam, (1938). A promising {odder grass for Assam .
Bengal, (1930). Fodder grasses for Bengal.
Bihar, (19[1-12). Lying down land to Dub grass in Bihar-by E. J . Woodhouse.
Bihar, (193!;1). Preliminary note on the cultivation of Berseem in Chotanag.
pur- by C. A. MacLean.
Bihar, (1936). Cultivation of berseem at Kanke farm- by C. A. MacLean.
Bombq)l, (1909). Fodder crops, No. I- SundhiaJowar.
Bombay, (1915)' Lucerne Fodder.
Bombay, (1918). The utilisation of inferior grass Etc.
Bombay, (1919). The cultivation of berseem in Sind-experiments at Sukkur.
Bombay, ( 1920). A study ofsomelndian grass s and grasslands-by W. Burru,
L. B. Kulkarni and S. R. Godbole . (Published by lhe Pusa ResearchInstitut,) .
Bombay, (1920). Fodder crops of Western India.
Bombay, (19:26). Elephant grass-a new and useful fodder crop in Western
India-by Dr. H . H. Mann.
Bombay, (19!l6). Some useful forest tl'ees and shrubs of the Coastal tract and
their fodder value-by Tuggcrse, M. S.

368 )

Bombay, (1926). Lucerne as a dry crop in the Dharwar district.

Bombay, (1929)' Guinea grass.
Bombay, (1929)' Prickly-pear as fodder.
Bombay, (1929)' Lucerne-a valuable green fodder.
Bombqy, (1932). Grassland problems in Western India.
Bombay, (1932). Emergency fodd ers.
Bombay, (1935)' Eradication of prickly pear by cochineal.
Burma, (1923)' The common grasses of Burrna with notes on their agricultural
importance and distribution-by McKerral, A.
Central Provinces. List of grasses Etc.,-by R. J. D. Graham.
Indore (CmtraIIrldia). Lucerne cultivation.
Madras, (1921). A hand-book (,fSouth Indian grasses.
Madras, (1929; 1929-30). Theproductionoffodderandgreenmanureseeds.
Madras, (1930; 193-31). The cultivation and managements of grasslandat
the live-stock research station, Hosur-by R. W. Littlewood.
Madras, (193 1; 1931-32). Grass farming in Coirnbatore.
Madras, (1932). South Indian fodders (revised).
Madras, (1933; 1933-34). South Indian fodders-by P. V. RalQiah.
Madras, (1934-35)' Lucerne.
Mysore, Prickly-pear a~ a fodder for cattle.
PUVab, (1937). Bulletin on fodder crops of the Punjab.
Sind, (1931-32). Cultivation and uses of berseern in Sind.
Sind, (1932-33). Cultivation and uses ofberseem in Sind.
Sind, ( 1934-35) ' Fodder crops suitable for cultivation in the Barrage areas of
Sind.
Unit,d Provinces. The Elephant or Napier grass.
United Provinces. Cultivation of lucerne.
United Provillces. The berseem grass.
United Provinces. Green fodder.

CHAPTER XI.
A. MISCELLANEOUS CROPS.
Indigo
Indigofera Linn.

I. emcta Hochst. Leguminosae.

l. sumatrana Gaertn.
The indigo plant is grown in some parts of India for indigo,
locally called Nee/.
The following varieties have been mentioned, being grown
in the Madras Presidency in the beginning of this century,
(Anon., 1903, 1904).
Indigofera errecta.
I. tinctoria.
I. racemosa.
I. sumatrana.
1. suffruticosa.
I. articulata.
I. [ongeracemose.
Two varieties of indigo, viz, (i) sweet and (ii) Kangar,
are grown in certain parts of the Punjab. Their cultivation
has been described by Raj and Singh (1939).
Attempts were made by Howard, Howard and Khan (1918)
to cross buligofera errecta (Java indigo) and Indigofera sumatrana
(Sumatrana indigo) but with no success.
Methods of pollination are described in d~tail by Howard
and Howard (1915).
Howard, Howard and Khan (1918) observed that very
little self-fertilization takes place in the case of protected flowers
and that self-sterility occurs to some extent. Plants raised from
the self-fertilised seeds show lack of vigour.

Jasminum Linn.

Jasmine
Jasmi7Ulm species.

Oleaceae.
From time ixnmemorial j asmint has been cultivated in India
for its scented flowers.

370

The following species and varieties of jasmine, found in India,

have been recorded by different workers :

Jasminum grandiflorum (chamdi).

(Singh and Bhatnagar, 1955; Bhatnagar, 1956 a). Ratnam,
1934.

J.

sambac (proper).

watts and Hooker;

Bhatnagar, 1956 a, b;
} Ratnam, 1934.

Sub-varieties: Motiya Bela;

Bela; Htu:ara Bela or Ikhera
Bela; Mungra (aiso ' called
'the Grand Duke of Tuscany'
due to the fact that it was
introduced into Europe by
the Grand Duke of Tuscany
from the East); Rai Bela;
Den Bela.

J.

sambac vat. hfJIneana.

J.
J.

Primulinum

rigidum.

J. pubescens (G~ant, violet and Kund).

J. arborescens (Niwari).

Watts and Hooker;

Bhatnagar, 1956, b.

>- Bhatnagar, 1956 a.

humile.
'
J. auriculatum (Juhi).
J. flexib. Ratnam, 1934 and Bhatnagar, 1956 a.

J.

Observations on inducing rooting in stem cuttings of

J. grandiflorum have been made by Singh and Bhatnagar (1955),
on the comparative flower weight in common jasmines by Bhatnagar (1956 a) and on the biology of J. sambac (Proper) also
by Bhatnagar (1956 b). .
Krishna Nayak (1934-) gives' a short description of the
jasmine cultivation in South Ca~a.

( 371

Seshania Scop.
Sesbania grandiflora Pers.
Leguminosae.
Chandraselmaran and Ramakrishnan (19"28) have recorded a brief botanical description of the species.
Sesbania grandiflora Pers. (Agathi grandiflora Desr.) is a leguminous soft wooded tree. It is generally grown to serve as a 'post,
on to which betel vines are trained.
The haploid chromosome number in this species was
reported to be 7 in two varieties (Ayyangar and Krishnaswami,
1935). Morphologically the chromosomes were distinguished as
long (two), medium (two) and small (three).
Camphor.
Cinnamomum Blume. C. camphora Nees. Lauraceae.
The original home of this tree is supposed to be Eastern
Coast of China and the Islands of the Japanese Archipelago.
It is u ed as a natural source of camphor.
Observations on camphor plants, grown at the Ganeshkhind
Botanical Station, have been recorded by Gammie (1907-8).
A brief account of its cultivation is given by Venkataraman
(1928).

Millingtonia hortensis Linn. Bignoniaceae.

Chromosome number in Millingtonia Iwrtensis, the Indian
cork tree, was determined by Rao (1936) to be 2n .... 30.
Sansevicria Thunb. Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. Liliaceae.
It possesses a kind of fibre. Chromosome number in Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. is found to be n=20 and .2n = 40 by
Patel and Narayana (1937).
Sago palm.
Caryota Linn. Caryota ur.ens Linn. ~ Palmae.
Nambiar (1923) gives a short .description of the sago palm,
found in the hilly regions of the West Coast . .. Two varieties
have been recorded.

372

Rubber plants.
Hevea bra,t;ilensis, the rubber plant of commerce, is mostly
cultivated in Southern India and Burma. Of late Cryptostegia
grandiflora has also been receiving attention (Viswanath, 1943).
The following varieties of rubber plants tried at the Bassein
Botanical and Agricultural Station (Bombay) have been record.ed (Gammie, 1906-7):Funtumia elastica.
Urceola elastica.
Ceara.
Castilloa elastica.
Hevea bra<;;ilensis.
Cryptostegia grandiflora.
At the Ganeshkhind Botanical Station, observations were
J;l1ade on Ceara, C. grandiflora and Ficus elastica (Gammie, 1907-8).
Saffron.
Crocus. Crocus sativus Linn. Iridaceae.
The cultivation of Crocus sativus (saffron) is mostly concentrated in Kashmir. An account of its cultivation in that
State has been given by Fotidar (1934). Recently attempts
have been made to grow it in other parts of India. Illam-ulHaq and Sayeeduddin (1932.33) record the results of the experiments on the cultivation of this crop in the Hyderabad State.
The authors mention its uses as follows:"Economic: In the majority of our dishes saffron is used as
a colouring and flavouring agent. Dissolved in water it is used
as an ink with which our priests and amels write charms or
tawiz.
Medicinal: Saffron is considered by our Itakeems (physicians) as hot and dry. It is said to reduce inflammations. It
is a stimulant and stomachic. Considered a good remedy for
enlargement of the liver and affections of the urinary bladder
and kidneys, also in cholera. Administered in big doses it
makes the patient unconscious. Mixed with other drugs it is
used to help menstruation. It is strengthening to the heart and

379 )

is a refrigerent for the brain. If soaked overnight in water and

administered with honey, it makes the patient suffering from
urine trouble to pass the urine freely. Pounded with ghee it is
used in diabetes.
Saffron oil is used as an external application in uterine sores.
After extracting the oil from saffron the waste is also used in
many diseases."

Buck-wheat.
Fagopyrum Gaertn. Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.

Polygonaceae.

The crop is grown in the neighbourhood of Darjeeling and

the seeds are largely used for making bread. It is suggested
that starch can also be prepared from the seed.
At the Poona Agricultural Station, two varieties, mitha paphar
and titta paphar, obtained from Darjeeling, were tried but resulted
in low yields (Fletcher, 1906-7).

Kudzu Vine.
Pueraria DC. Pueraria thunbergiana Benth. Leguminosae.
The Kudzu vine is one of the latest and most promising
leguminous crops, introduced to the notice of the farming world.
I t is a native of Japan where the vine is used for a pasturage and
hay making. Starch is extracted from its roots and the stems
provide fibre (Joshi, 1933).
Investigations, carried out at Pusa (Joshi, 1933), showed
that nodules were observed on the roots in the Pusa soil. It
could be grown continuously without irrigation for a period of
five years and the yield of the cuttings was found to be fairly
uniform. It gave its first cutting in April when no other green
fodder crop is available at Pusa and it continued to grow till
the end of September. It can also be used. as manure. It is,
therefore, a promising perennial legume crop, and should be
tried on poor rocky land of hilly sides and wet soils where no
other crop can be grown.

( 374 )

. Vettiuer.
ColeuS Lour. 'L abiatae.
Chetty (1939) records that vettiver (Coleus species) is a crop
grown for its roots which possess a pleasant fragrance. In
South India, ladies wear bits of the roots in the hair. The roots
are also used for making garlands to decorate temple images.
Several forms are known which are generally grown as root
crops. A short account of its cultivation is given by the same
author (Chetty, 1939) .
Bamboos.
Bambusa Schreb.} Gramineae.
l)etkirocalamus.
Several species are grown in India. They are mostly used
for paper pulp and building purposes.
Recently attempts have been made at Coimbatore to cross
some of the species with sugarcane and interesting hybrids have
been obtained. (Chapter VIII.)
Richharia and Kotval (1940) record 2n=72 in l)endrocalafnus strictus.
Khanna (1931) made certain observations on bamboos. He
studied the mode of underground branching and rootsystem.
Crosses between Argemone gratkiijlora (white.flowered) and
Argemone mexicana (yellow-flowered) and between Azadorachta
itkiica and Melia azadarach have been recorded by Burns (1912-13) ~
BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Anonymous, (193)' Rep. operations Dep. agTic.Madras Presidency, 1902-3 : 4 and B.

Anonymous, (1904). Rep. operations Dep. agric. Madras PrtsidellCY, 1903-4 : 6:
AyyangaT, G . N. R. and Krishnaswami, N. (1935). Chromosome numbers
in Sesbania granrdiflora Pen . . The Agathi plant. CII". Sci., 3 : 488.
Bhatnagar, G. S. (1956 a). Comparative flower weight in common Jasmine~ .
Curro Sci., 25 : 100.
Bhatnagar, G. S. (1956 b). Studies on the . biology of Jasminurn sambac
(Pro per). Sci. & Cult., III : 613-615' ,.

375 )

Burns, W. (19 1:1-13). AnnualRtp. Ganlshkhind bot. gardens. Dept. aerie. BOTllbay~
1912-J.3 : 28.
Chetty, M. O. (1939). A note on vettiver cultivation. Madras acrie. J.,
g,7 : 369-37 0

Chandrasekharan, S. N. and Ramakrisbnan, T. S. (1928). Botany of some

useful plants, J. Madras acrie. J., J.6: 5-1 I.
Fletcher, F. (1906-7). Annual Rep. Poona agrie. stat. Dep. agrie. BOTIIbay, J.9 06 -7
: 16.

Fotidar, M. R. (1934). Saffron in Kashmir and its cultivation. Agrie.

Live-Stk. India, .. : 242-:147.
Oammie, O. A. (1906-7). Annual Rep. Bassein bOI. and aerie. stat. DIp. agrie.
Bombay, 1906-7 : 3-4.
Oammie, O. A. (1907-8) . AnnualRep. Ga"eshkhind bot. stat. Dep. agNc. &mooy,
1907-8 : 15-16.
Oammie, O. A. (1907-8). Annual Rep. Ganeshkhind bot. slat. Dep. acrie. Bombay,
19 0 7-8: 33-34
Howard, A. and Howard, O. L. C. (1915)' First report on the improvement
of indigo in Bihar. Agrie. Res. Insl. Pusa, bull. 51 : :17.
Howard, A. Howard, O. L. C. and Khan, A. R. (1918). Studies in the pollination oflndian crops, I. Mem. Dep. Agrie.India (Bot. S".), 10 : 207.
Hooker, Flora of British India, vol. III.
lnam-ul-Haq and Sayeeduddin, M. (1932-33) . On the pOiiSibility of cultivation of saffron, Crocus sativus (Fam.-lridaceae) in Hyderabad State
and its importance. Curro Sci., I : 394.
Joshi, N. V. ( 1933)' Kudzu vine (Pueraria thunbergiana). Aerie. Livl-Stk.India,
3 : 586 -59 2
Khanna, K. L. (1931). Some observations on bamboos. I"dian J. acrie.
Sci., I : 473-479'
Krishna Nayak, S. (1934). Jasmine (Bhatkal Milliga) cultivation in South
Canara. Madras agNe. J., aa : 398-400.
Namhiar, K. O. (1 923). The sago palm (CaO'ota urem). Madras agric. J.;
I I : 6-9'
Patel, J . S. and Narayana, O. V. (1937). Chromosome numbers in somo
economic !lowering plants. Curro Sci., 5 : 479'
Ratnam, R. (1934), Jasmine cultivation Md marketing in Coim ba tore.
Madras aerie. J., g,S : 15-20.
Ramakrishnan, T. S. and Cbandrasekharan, S. N. (19!28). Botany of SOme
us ful plants, V. Madras agric. J., 18 : 467-476.
Rao, U. N. (1936). Chromosomes in Millin&tonia hortemis Linn. (Family,
Bignoniaceae.). Curro Sci., f : 654
Raj, L.D. and Singh, S. O. (1939). Indigo cultivation. Pu,yab agric. coll. Mag.,
6 : 17-lIO.

( S76 )
Richharia, R. H. and Kotval, J. P. (1940). Ohromosome
bamboo (Dendrocalamus slriclus.). Indio.n J . agric. Sci., 10 : lOSS'

number in

Singh, S. N. and Bhatnagar, G. S. (1955)' Inducing rooting in stem cuttings

of Jasminum grandijlol1lm. Sci. & Cull., 81 : !2JO-212.
Venkataraman, K. (192'8). Camphor cultivat:on in Burma.
J., 16 : 7 1-73.

Madras agFie.

Viswanath, B. (1943). Publication of the Imperial Agric. Res. Ins!., New

Delhi.
Watts. Dictionary of Economic Products of India, Vol. IV.

CHAPTER XII

OTHER INFORMATION
(i) Reference. on vernalization.
Investigations on vernalization with a number of crops have
been carried out at various research centres, as shown below.
No concluaive results, however, appear to have been reached
80 far.
N~Delhi

Pusa
Indore
Surat
Coimbatore
Poona

wheat, barley and oat.

wheat, barley and oat.
cotton.
cotton.
cotton, sorghum, rice and
sugarcane.
cotton, wheat and sorghum.

Relevant references are given below:-Choudhury, H. (1939) . On resistance of vernalized plants of linseed to
attack of MJampsora lini. Curr, Sci., 8 ; 555.
Kar, B. K. (1940). Vernalization of Indian crops. Curr. Sci., 9 : 233-35'
Luthra, J. C. (1940) . Vernalization. Pu1!iab Agrie. Coil. Mag ., 7 : 17- 19.
'4itra, A. (1937). Vernalization: A new Russian method of crop production.
Sci. &. CIJIl., 3 : 18-23.
Sell, B. and Chakravarti, S. C. (1938). Studies in vernalization of mustard
(A preliminary report). Indian]. azric. Sci., 8 : 245-52.
Sen, B. and Chakravarti, S.C. (1940). Vernalization. Indian Farming., I : 55"59,
Sen Gupta, D. N. (1938). Effect of light treatment on seed potatoes. Curr.
Sci., 7 : I g6.
Singh, B. N. and Kapoor, S. L. (1939)' Vernalization in the tropics. Sci. &
Ctllt.,. : 674-77.
Singh, B. N. and Singh, S. N. (1939). Photoperiodism and the phasic development of Crotalariajun&t. Proc. Indian Aca. Sci., 4 ; 323"3"
Sir car, S. M. (1939). Some upeetl of vernalization. Sci. &. Cldt.,. : 438-42.

378 )
(n)

Other Reference. thaD tho.e Dot Included EJ.ewbeN

Alam, N. (1939). An important genetic constant. Prot.

Congress (Agm.). 21l1.

IlSth Indian Sci.

Allan, R. G. (194<. An outline of Indian Agriculture. Baro State Press,

India.
Anandan. M. (1921),. Possibilities of Plant-Breeding. Madras agm.
9 : 169- 179.
.

Anonymous, (1921). The improvement

29-3 6

or aced.

J.,

Indian ,Sci. Agriculturis'I !I:

Anonymous, (1926). The-work of breeding disease-reaistantcrop plants. Indian.

Sci. Agriculturist, 7 : 346-35.

AyyangaT, C. R. S. and Ra~anujaJ!l' S. (1937). Induction of somatic

mutations as a method of crop improvement in' rice. Prot. Asso. teo.
Biol., Coimbatore, 5 : 46- 5 [. .
,
Bums, W. (1937). Breeding for disease resistance in agriculturai plants.
Sci. & Cult., !I : 619-2t.
Bums, W. and Pal, 'B. P : (1942). The relationship of agricultural .science
with taxonomy and cytology. ' Bulial Govt. Press, C~lcutta. 1942. 150th
AnniverSlJry Volume of the Royal Botanic Garden, Cal~u!ta.
Bose, A. (1940). Colchicine. SC!. & Cult., 5 : 511-12. _
.
Burt, B. C. (19124), Technological researcb' on 'raw ' materials and -its relation
} to plant breeding. Proc. loth Indian Sci. Congress, 18l1.
Burt, B. C. (1929)' Crop improvement and variety testirlg. Proc. 16th
Iridian Sci. Congress (Agm.), 36.
Burt, B. C. (l936). Science in the service of Indian Agyiculture. Sci. & Oult.,
, I : 53-40.
Darlington, C. D. (1939). The biology of crossing-~ver. Proc. !l5tb, In~ian
Sci. Oongms (Bot.), 141.
Duthie and Fuller (
?
). (A booklet). 'Field and Garden Crops of
the North-Wester'n Provinces and Oudh.
Dutt, C. P. and Pugh, B. M. (1940). Crop Production in India. Missioll
Puss, Allahabad, 1940'
Ganeshan, D. (1939)' Acetocarmine smear technique for cotton ~ytology
. Curro Sci., 8 : 114-115'
?
). Ancient Agriculture in India-(A book). .
Gangoli, (
Gangopadbyay, R. (193~)' Some materials for the ,study of Agriculture
and Agriculturists ill Ancient India. N. O. I Mukherjee and Co., StrampoTl:
I
If7 pp.
Haldane, J. B. S. (1940). The estimation of rec ssive -gene frequencies by
inbreeding. Proc. Indian Aca. Sci., 1;& : J09-ll4.

379 )

Hqward; A: 1'920);' The improvement of crop production in India. J.

Roy. Soc. Arts. 68 : 555-64, 569-73'
Howard, A. (1924). Crop production in India. Oxford Universi1>' Prus,
!too pp.
Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1912). The production and Maintenance of pure seed of improved varieties of crops in India. Agric. J.
India, 7 : 167-74
Howard, A. and Howard,G.L.C. (1913) ' The improvement of crops. Agrie.
J. Ilidia, 8 : 111-16.
Howard, A. and Howard, G. L. C. (1920). Some labour saving devices in
plant-breeding. Agric. ]. India, 15 : 5-10.
Howard, G. L. C. (1929). The improvement of plants. Proe. 16th. Indian
Sci. Congress (Presidential address), 17-28.
Hutchinson, J. B. and Panse, V. G. (1936). Introduction of improved
varieties of crops in Central India and Rajputana. Prot. !t3rd. Indian
Sci. Congress (Agrie.) , 447.
flutchinson, J. B. and Panse, V. G. (1936). The introduction of improved
strains of crop plants in Central India and Rajputana. Agrie. Live-Slk.
'India, 6 : (part 4)'
Hutchinson,J. B. and Panse, V. G. (1937). Studies in Plant-breeding Technique, II. The Design ofField Tests of plaut-breeding Material. Indian
]. agrie. Sci., 7 : 531-564'
Kadam, B.. S. (1942). Deterioration of varieties of crops and the task of
the breeder. Indian]. Genet. & Pl. Bmd., !I. : 159-172.
Kostoff, D. (1938). Heterochromatin, somatic, Crossing-over and the Interchange Hypothesis between Non-Homologous chromosomes. Proe.
Indian Ata. Sci., 8 : 1I-44.
Kostoff, D. (1939). Evolutionary Significance of chromosome size and chromosome number in plants. Curro Sci., 8 : 306-310.
Kottur, G:L. (1932). The value of localvarieties in plant-breeding and the
danger of losing them. Proe. 19th Indion Sci. Congress, (Agrie.) , 79'
Majumdar, I. B. (1922). Improvement of crops by breeding and selection'!
Indian Sci. Agrie., 3 : 479-83 and Indiarl Sci. Agrie., : 60-62.
Mehta, B. K. (1939)' The role of heterosis in plant breeding and Agriculture. '
Poona Agrie. Coil. Mag., 30 : 159-172.
Mollison,J. (1901). A text book of Indian Agriculture (Two Volumes)
Bombay, 173 pp. and 155 pp. respectively.
Nandi, H. K. (19391. Structure of the meiotic chromosomes of Hosla sicholdiana
Hosk. Proc. -sth. Indian Sci. Congrm (Bot.), 14"
Pal, B. P. (1934)' Improved varieties of crops produced at Pusa. Agrie. &
Liv,-Stk., Indio, f.

( 380 . )
P~,

B. P. (1937). The Search for new genes. Agrie. & LivI-Stk. Indill, 7 :
573-578 .

Pal, B. P. (1940). Genes: Atoms of heredity. Indian Farming, I : 270-73

Pal, B. P. and Mundkur, B. B. ([939)' Studies in Indian cereal smuts, I.
Cereal smuts and their control by the development of resistant varieties.
Proc. InditUI Aca. Sci., g(B) : 267-27.
Pal, B. P. and Pushkar Nath, (1940). The Simla potato breeding .tation.
Indian Farming, I : 25-28.
Pause, V. G. (1939)' Some aspects of plant-breeding in India. Proc. -5th.
Indian Sci. Congress (Agrie.), 21 l.
Panse, V. G. (1942). Methods in plant breeding. IndianJ. Cmd.&PI.Br"d.,
a : 151-158.
Purewal, S. S. and Rao, K. (?). Tables of standard errors of Mendelian
ratios. Misc. Bull. No. II, Imperial Council Agric. Res. India.
Rajabhooshanam, (1935)' Application of modern statistical method. to
yield trial. Aerie. & Live-Stk. India, 5 : 145'
Rao, P. S.J. (1923). Pollen sterility in relation to vegetative propagation.

Madras al.JTic. J., I I : 419-4116.

Richharia, R. H. (1939)' Plantbreedingtechniquein recent years. Bangalote
Press, India, 1939.

Roberts, W. and Faulkner, O. T. (1921). A text book of Punjab Agriculture,

Lahore (19al).
Royle,]. F. (1840). Essay on the productive resources of India. All", &;
Co., London, iSI pp.
Robbins, W. W. (19114)' Botany of crop plants.
R.uggles Gates, R. (1939). The Structure of the chromosome. Proc. 85th
Indian Sci. Congress : 143.
Sarup, S. (1938). A review of the plant hybridizing work done in Indi
Sci. & Culture, S : 42:1-25'
Singh, B. N., Sampath, S. and Bansel, R. K. (1939)' Effect of Colchicine on
Plant cells. Curro Sci., 8 : 121-122.
Shaw, F. J. F. (1926-27). The supply of seed of imprOVed varieties of Cl'opa
from Pusa. Agric. J. India, 'a! : 190-93.
Shaw, F. J. F. (1935)' Indian Agriculture and plant breeding, Proc ......
Indian Sci. Congress (Agru.), 341-346.
Shaw, F.]. F. and KashiRam, (1934). Improvedvarietiesofcrop,pl'oduced
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Soloman, S. (1939)' Hybrid vigour in plants and its significanoe in plant
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Tllolllu, K., M. (1931). A practical method of estimating diaease reti.tanee
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381

Venkataraman, (I9!!4). Simple contrivances for studying Root development

in Agricultural crops. Agrie. J. India, 19 : 509.
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W.oodhouse, E. J. (Igog). Single plant selection. Q;uzr. J. Dep. agrie. Bengal,
III : I18-lllO.

(iii) Im.perial Pusa (New Pusa) strains.

D. Improved strains released from the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute (Now Indian Agricultural
Research Institute.)

Some of the strains bred and releas d by the Imp rial (Now
Indian) Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, have been
referred to in the body of this book. These strains, popularly
known as the .Pusa Strains, are no w knonw by numbers to which
the prefix I.P. ( = Imperial Pusa) *. is added. The complete list
ofstrains released in different years is given below:
A.

Crop.

Wheat

List of improved strains as it stood in 1945.

Strain

Description.

I.P.

4 Early; beardless, fairly rust resistant, highquality grain.

I.P.

12 Medium maturity; beardless, fairly rust

resistant, heavy yielding, good-quality
grain.

I.P.

52 Medium in maturity; bearded, f; irly rust

resistant, heavy yielding, high-quality,
hard grain.

I.P. 80-5 Fairly early in maturity; beardless, rust

resistant, grain like J.P. 4.
I.P. 111 Early; beardless, rust resistant, high-quality grain.
I.P. 114 Late ; bearded, highly rust resistant, heavy
yielding, high-quality grain .
Now designated 14 N. P, ("", New Pusa).

Crop.
Wheat

Strain.

382

Description.

I.P. 120 Medium maturity; bearded, highly rust

resistant, particularly to yellow :rust, heavy
yielding, good-quality grain.
J.P. 125 Medium in maturity; beard d, rust resistant, heavy yielding, good-quality grain.
J.P. 165 Early; beardless, highly rust resistant, very
heavy yielding; high-quality l~rge g~ain.

Barley

Oats

I.P.

13 Medium in maturity; vigorous, good yielding; grain hulled, long and thin, light
yellow.

I.P.

21 Medium in maturity; vigorous, very heavy

yielding, grain hulled, long and plump,
light purplish tinge.

1. P.

1 Early high yielding; drought and smut

resistant.

2 Similar to 1. P. 1., but slightly later in

maturity.
I.P.Hyb. 1 Early; high yielding; produces abundant
straw, smut-resistant; grain very plump.
I. P. " 2 Early; high yielding, produces abundant
straw, smut-resis~nt, grain plump and
short, having a thin seed-coat.
I. P. ') 3 Medium in maturity; high yielding; produces abundant straw, smut resistant,
grain very plump.
I. P.
9 Deep water winter paddy; grain, white and
medium bold.
I. P. 18 Autumn paddy; very early, grain white,
bold.
I. P. 24 Winter paddy; heavy yielding, grain white
long and slender.
1. P. ;31 Main crop winter paddy; very heavy yielding, grain dull white, bold.
1. P.

Paddy

( 383
Crop.
~adc[y

Strain.

I. P.

Description.

52 Main ~rop winter paddy; heavy yielding;

grain white, medium bold, slightly scented.
.

I. P. 125} Autumn paddies; Inner glume straw

I. P. 130 coloured; kernels whit~; beardless and
tipped respectively.
I. P. 144 Autumn paddy; inner glume, olive
coloured; kernels white; beardless.
Rallar

15 Late; seeds small~ silver white; average

yield 1800 Ibs. per acre.
I. P. 16 Late; seeds large, silver white, wilt-resistant; average yield 1300 lbs. p r acre.
I. P. 24 Late; seeds medium sized, grayish fawn;
average yield 1800 lbs. per acre.
I. P. 51 Late; seeds large, fawn with brown markings; wilt-resistant; average yield 1900
Ibs. per acr .
I. P. 64 Late; seeds medium sized, dark olive gray;
average yield 1900 Ibs. per acre.
I. P. 80 Late; seeds small, fawn with faint brown
markings, highly wilt-resistant; average
yield 1350 lbs. per acre.

-Gram

I. P.

I. P.

I. P.
I. P.

I. P.

I. P.

2 Early; seeds large white with a reddish

yellow tinge; average yield 750 bs. per
.acre.
6 Early; seeds small, white with a yellow
tinge; average yield 1300 Ibs. per acre.
17 Late; seeds small, reddish brown; average
yield 1550 lbs. per acre.
25 Medium in maturity; seeds small, reddish
brown; average yield 1500 Ibs. per acre.
28 ~arly; seeds medium sized, white with a
reddish yellow tinge; average yield 1300
lbs. per acre.

Crop.

Gram

Strain.
I. P.

384- )

Deacription.

53 Early; seeds small, yellowish brown; good

yielder.

Mung

Urid

I. P.

58 Medium in maturity; seeds small, reddiih

brown; average yield like I. P. 17.

I. P.

18 Early; very heavy yielding; seeds dark

green; dull.

I. P.

I. P.

23 Early; heavy yielding; seeds green, shining.

28 Early; very heavy yielding; seeds small,
green dull.

I. P.

36 Early; seeds lemon yellow, shining.

I. P.

4 Medium in maturity, trailing habit, seeds

dark green.
6 Similar to I. P. 4, but spreading in habit.
7 Seeds dark green, dull.
14 Late; seeds light green.

I. P.
1. P.
I. P.

Lentil

I. P. 11 Early; heavy yielding; seeds medium sized.

I.PHyb.l Early; fairly heavy yielding, seeds bold.

Linseed

I.P.

12 Late; very heavy yielding, rust and wiltresistant; seeds small, brown; oil-content
37.14 %.
I. P. 121 Medium inmaturity; heavy yielding; seeds
small, brown, rust and wilt-resistant, oilcontent 40'14%.
I. P.

124 Late; heavy yielding, rust and wilt-resistant; seeds small white; oil-content 39'45%.
] . P. Hyb.l0 Late; heavy yielding; seeds medium sized,
white; oil-content 48'05%.

1. P.

I. P.

21 Medium in maturity; heavy yielding;

seeds medium sized, white; oil-content 40'35%.
55 Late; heavy yielding; seeds medium sized,
white: oil-content 42'81 %.

( 385
Crop.

Linseed

Strain.

I. P.

Peas
I. P.
Safflower I. P.
Chilli

I. P.

I. P.
I. P.

I. P.
Hibiscus 1. P.
(canWlbinus)
J. P.
Hibiscus I. P.
(Sobdarijfa) Sab.
1.

)
Description.

68 Early; heavy yielding; seeds bold, brown;

oil-content 42 '}8 %.
29 Plants dwarf, seeds wrinkled white.
30 Medium in maturity; spineless.
34 Very early; very heavy yielding, fruit
medium long red, pungent ..
41 Early; very heavy yielding, fruit long; red,
pungent.
46A. Early; heavy yielding; resistant to thrips;
fruits very long, red pungent.
51 Early; heavy yielding, fruits long, red,
pungent.
3 Early; vigorous, hardy; good fibre quality.
6 Very early; vigorous, hardy; good fibre
quality.
Late; very vigorous, hardy; veryhe avy
5.
yielding; good fibre quality.

P. 28}

Tobacco
I. P. 58 Chewing tobaccos ; leaves, medium, broad
(Tabacum). 1. P. 63 and_narrow respectively.
I.P. Hyb. Leaves smooth, light green, thin, curing
142 to bright yellow colour, good cigarette
quality.
Seeds of the well-known varieties Harrison's
Special and Adcock are also maintained.
I. P. 18 Late; leaves very large, good for hooka
Tobacco
smoking.
(rustica)

386 )

(B) List of Improved Stram s it stood ill 1955.

(I . P . Strain s are DOW known as N . P. straiDs) .

Crop.
Wheat

Strain.

Description.

N. P.

4 Early, beardless, fairly

high-quality hard grain.

N. P.

12 Medium maturity, beardless, fairly rust-

N.P.

N.P.
N.P.
N.P.

N.P.

N.P.

N.P.

rust-resistant,

resistant, heavy yielding, good-quality

semi-hard grain.
52 Medium in maturity, bearded, fairly rustresistant, heavy yielding, high-quality,
hard grain.
80-5 Fairly early in maturity, beardless, rustresistant, grain like N. P. 4.
III Early, beardless, rust-resistant, high-quality,
hard grain.
114 Late, bearded, highly rust-resistant, immune to loose smut, heavy'yielding, highquality hard grain.
165 Early beardless, highly rust-resistant, very
heavy yielding, high-quality large hard
grain.
7'10 Mid-early, bearded, fairly resistant to rusts,
particularly to black rust, yields well
under a variety of climatic and soil conditions, good-quality hard grain; although
evolved particularly for north western
India, it does well in western, central and
north-eastern parts also.
715 Very much like N. P. 710 in its characters,
inclUding rust resistance; in several locations its yield is, however, slightly less
than that of N. P. 710.

Thanks are due to Dr. B. P. Pal, Director and Dr. S. M. Sikkll,

Head of the Division of Botany, Indian Agricultural Research I nstitute,
New Delhi, for supplying me with lists, (B) & (0), for this p ublication.

387 )

Crop.

Strain.

Wh4at

N.P. 718 Early maturing, bearded, fairly resistant

to yellow and brown rusts, tolerant to
black rust and very resistant to loose smut,
heavy yielding, good-quality, hard grain,
suitabl for Rajasthan, AjmerandMadhya
Bharat, does well in certain areas of
Punjab, Delhi and Bihar also.

Description.

N.P. 720 Mid-early, bearded, thick ears, with black

awns, partially resistant to rusts, very
highly resistant to lodging, good yielder
hard grain, does well in certain areas of
U. P. and the adjoining districts of Punjab.
N.P. 737 Fairly early maturing, bearded, very resistant to brown rust and loose smut, short,
semi-hard grain, has done well in Orissa,
Bihar and parts of U. P.
N.P. 745 Early, bearded, fairly resistant to brown
rust, does well in Bihar, particularly in
the northern parts of the State.
N.P. 758 Medium maturing, fairly resistant to rusts,
particularly to black rust and also to loose
smut, high yielding, serni-hard grain, well
suited to certain areas in Rajasthan and
M.P., does fairly well in east U. P. and
Bihar also.
N. P. 760 Early, bearded, fairly resistant to brown
rust and partially resistant to other rusts,
heavy yielding, good-quality, hard grain,
does very well in Delhi and U. P. , gives
fairly good yields in South Bihar and West
Bengal also.
N.P. 761 Very early ;maturing, bearded, fairly resistant to brown rust and partially to other

( 388
Crop.

Strain.

Wheat
N.P. 762

N.P. 764

N.P. 768

N.P. 770

N.P. 771

N.P. 775

Description.

rusts, semi-hard grain, does well in Orissa,

Bihar and east U. P.
Early, bearded, partially resistant to
rusts, particularly to brown rust, good
yielding, semi-hard grain, does fairly
well in Bihar.
Early maturing, bearded, partially resistant
to rusts, particularly to brown rust, hard
grain, gives fairly good yields in Bihar.
Late maturing, bearded, partially resistant to rusts, hard grain does well in the
hills, particularly in Himachal Pradesh.
Late maturing, bearded, partially resistant to rusts, particularly to yellow rust,
highly resistant to loose srout also, does
well in the hills, high yielding, bold and
good-quality, hard grain, gives very good
yields in Himachal Pradesh where it
should be sown rather late to gct the best
results.
Very early maturing (the earliest N. P.
variety so far produced), bearded, does
well in areas with short growing period,
partially resistant to rusts, good yielding,
hard grain, does well in certain areas of
Rajasthan and M. P.
Early, bearded, fairly resistant to rusts,
particularly to black rust, heavy yielding,
hard grain, does well in a number of area
differing in soil and climatic conditions,
particularly Delhi, certain areas of Punjab
and U. P., has done fairly well in Bihar
and M. P. :also, may be useful in terai
areas.

( 389 )
Crop.
Barley

Strain
Description.
N.P. 13 Medium in maturity, vigorous, good yielding, grain hulled, long and thin, lig ht
yellow.

Oats

N.P.

1 Early, high yielding drought and smut

N.P.

2 Similar to N. P. 1, but slightly later in

resistant.
maturity.
N.P.Hyb. I Early, high yielding, produces abundant
straw, smut-resistant, grain very plump.
N.P. Hyb.2 Late, high yielding, produces abundant
straw, grain plump.
N.P.Hyb.3 Medium in maturity, high yielding, produces abundant straw, smut resistant,
grain very pluzop.
N.P.Hyb. Early, high yielding,. produces abundant straw, grain very plump.
X-27

Paddy

N.P.
N.P.
N.P.
N.P.
N.P.

N.P.
N.P.
N.P.

Rallar

N.P.

9 Deepwater winter paddy, grain white,

bold, medium bold.

Autumn paddy, very early, grain white,
24 bold, Winter paddy, heavy yielding,
grain white, long and slender.
31 Main crop winter paddy, very heavy yielding, grain dull white, bold.
52 Main crop winter paddy, heavy yielding
grain white, medium bold, slightly scented.
125} Autumn paddies, inner glume straw
130 coloured, kernels white, beardless and
tipped respectively.
144 Autumn paddy, inner glume olive coloured, kernels white, beardless.

IS}

15 Late, seeds small, silver white, average

yield 1800 lbs. per acre.

( 390 )
Crop.
Rahar

Strain.

Description.

N.P.

16 Late, seeds large, silver white, wilt resistant, average yield 1300 lbs., per acre.

N .P.

24 Late, seeds medium sized, grayish fawn,

average yield 1800 lbs. per acre.

N.P.

51 Late, seeds large, fawn with brown markings, wilt-resistant, average yield 18001bs.
per acre.
N.P. 64 Late, seeds medium sized, dark olive gray,
average yield 1900 lbs. per acre.
N.P. 80 Late, seeds small, fawn with, faint brown
markings, highly wilt-resistant, average
yield 1350 lbs. per acre.

Gram

N.P.

N.P.
N .P.

N.P.
N.P.

N.P.
N.P.

N.P.

2 Early, seeds large, white with a reddish

yellow tinge, average yield 750 Ibs. per
acre.
6 Early, seeds small, white with a yellow tinge
average 1300 lbs. per acre.
17 Late, seeds small, reddish brown, average
yield 1550 lbs. per acre, medium in
maturity.
25 Seeds small, reddish brown, average yield
1300 Ibs. per acre, medium in maturity.
28 Early, seeds medium. sized, white with a
reddish yellow tinge, average yield 1300
lbs. per acre.
53 Early, seeds small, yellowish brown, good
yielder.
58 Medium. in maturity, seeds smail, reddish
brown, average yield like N. P. 17,
suitable for cultivation under dry farming conditions.
18 Early,
dull.

heavy yielding, seeds darkgreen,

( 391

Crop.

Mung

Urid

Lentil
Linseed

Strain.

Description.

N.P.

28 Early, heavy yielding, seeds small, green

dull.

N.P.

36 Early, fairly heavy yielding, seeds lemon

yellow, shining.

N.P.

23 Early, heavy yielding, seeds green, shining.

N.P.

4 Medium in maturity, trailing habit, seeds

dark green.
6 Similar to N.P. 4 but spreading in habit.
7 Seeds dark green, dull.
14 Late, seeds light green.

N.P.
N.P.
N.P.
N.P. 11 Early, heavy yielding, seeds medium sized.
N.P.Hyb.l Early, fairly heavy yielding, seeds bold.

12 Late, very heavy yielding, rust and wilt

resistant, seeds small, brown, oil content
37'14 per cent.
N.P. 121 Medium in maturity, heavy yielding, seeds
small, brown, rust and wilt-resistant, oil
content 4:0.14 per cent.
N.P. 124 Late, heavy yielding, rust and wilt-resistant, seeds small white, oil content 39'45
per cent.
N.P.Hyb.l0 Late, heavy yielding, seeds medium
sized, white, oil content 43'05 per cent.
N.P.Hyb.55 Late, heavy yielding, seeds medium
sized, white, oil content 42'31 per cent.
N.P.Hyb.68 Early, heavy yielding, seeds bold, brown,
oil content 42'13 per cent.
N.P.(R.R.)5 Medium, late in maturity, high yielding, rust and wilt-resistant, seeds bold,
brown,~oil content 42'24 per cent; suitable for North-Bihar.
N.P.(R.R.)9 Medium, early in maturity, high yielding, rust and wilt-resistant, seeds bold,
N.P.

( 392 )
Crop.

Strain.

Linseed

Description.
brown, oU content 44'25 per cent.; suitable for M. B. and U. P.

N.P.(R.R.)38. Medium in maturity, very high yielding, rust-resistant, seeds medium-sized,

yellow, oil content 48.60 per cent.; suitable for Delhi and West Bengal.
N.P.(R.R.) 45. Medium,')ate in maturity; very high
yielding, rust and wilt-resistant, seeds
medium sized, brown, oil content 41'80
per cent.; suitable for Bihar, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan.
N.P.(R.R.)204. Medium in maturity, high yielding,
rust-resistant, seeds bold, brown, oil content 41'11 per cent.; suitable for Madhya
Bharat and Madhya Pradesh.
N.P.(R.R.)267. Medium in maturity, high yielding,
rust-resistant, seeds medium sized, yellow,
oil content 46'25 per cent.; suitable for
Madhya Bharat and Madhya Pradesh.
N.P.(R.R.)267. Mediumin maturity, high yielding,
rust-resistant, seeds medium sized, yellow,
oil content 36'25 per cent; suitable for
Madhya Bharat and Madhya Pradesh.
N.P.(R.R.)272. Medium in maturity, high yielding,
rust-resistant, seeds bold, brown, oil
content 40'0 per cent.; suitable for parta
of Madhya Pradesh.

Pea

N.P.

29 Plants medium high, do not require stak-

ing; Double-podded, seeds wrinkled;

heavy yielding, green peas very delicious.

Safflower

N.P.

30 Medium in maturity, spineless.

C/lilli

N.P.

34: Very early, very heavy yielding, fruit

medium long, red pungent.

(
Crop.

Chilli

Strain.

393 )
Description.

41 Medium in maturity, very heavy yielding,

fruit long, red, pungent.
N.P. 464 Early, heavy yielding, resistant to thrips,
fruits very long, red, pungent.
N .P. 51 Early, heavy yielding, fruits long, red,
pungent.
N.P.

Hibiscus N.P.
(Cannabinus)

3 Early, vigorous, hardy; good fibre quality.

N.P.

6 Very early, vigorous, hardy, good fibre

quality.
Hibiscus
N.P.Sab.5. Late, very vigorous, hardy, very heavy
(SabdariJJa)
yielding, good fibre quality.
N.P. 281 Chewing tobaccos, leaves medium, broad
Tobacco
(Tabacum) N.P. 58
N.P. 63) and narrow respec t'Ive1y.

N.P.Hyb.142. Leaves smooth, light green, thin, curing to bright yellow colour, good cigarette
quality.
N.P.Amarelo.5. Flue-cured cigarette tobacco, leaves
broad and long, surface smooth, colour
light green, curing to bright yellow. This
variety cures earlier and gives higher percentage of first grade leaf than Harrison's
Special.
Seed of the well-known varieties, Harrison's Special Gold Dollar, Bonanza and
Adcock, can also be supplied.

Tobacco

N. P.

18 Late, leaves very large, puckered,

dark bluish green, good for hookah
smoking.
N .P. (5) 19 Medium maturing, leaves very large,
surface very much
puckered,
colour dark green, high yielding,
good for hoolcah mwlci"l.

( 394

Crop.

Tobacco
(Rustice)

Strain.
N. P. (S) 20

Description.
Medium maturing, leaves bigger in
size, surface very much puckered,
colour green, good for hookah
smoking.

Promising Foreign Introductions.

Nebraska 455 Introduction from (U. S. A.).
Medium in maturity, spiny, very
high yielding, oil content 3125
per cent.
Nebraska 852 Introduction from (U. S. A.). Early
in maturity, spiny, very high yielding, oil content 36'70 per cent.
Sioux (U.S.A.) A mid-season variety, producing
Tomato
medium to large fruits of superior quality. High yielding. Suitable for growing as autumn-winter
and spiny-summer crops.
Early (60 days), wrinkled seeded,
Peas (for vegetable)
'Early Badger' dwarf variety. Green peas bold
(U. S. A.) and sweet. Pods borne singly.
'Delwiche
Mid-season (85 days), wrinkled
Commando' seeded, medium high variety~
(U. S. A.)
Also good as a grain variety.
'Philippines From Phillppines. Recommended
Vegetable
Early'
for the monsoon crop. Flowers
cowpea
in 35 days. Pods tender, 9-11
(lobia)
inches long.
A high yielding white-skinned and
F.A. 17
Sweet
white-fleshed variety, possessing
(China)
potato
all the desirable characters of a
table variety.

Stifflower

Tomato

Other Vegetable Varieties

Meeruti
A high-yielding, hardy variety.
Fruits medium sized. Good yielder.

Crop.
Tomato

Strain.
Hybrid 6

Bhindi

'Sabour
Selection'

Bottle gourd
'Summer
(Ghiya)
Prolific'
Guar (Vegetable) 'Jaipuri'

395

Description.
A small fruited selection from a cross
between the cultivated tomato and
related south American wild species. Rich in vitamin C and sugar
content.
A 5-edged smooth-fruited variety.
Good yielder. Suitable for summer and rainy season growing.
A long-fruited prolific variety
suitable for growing as summer crop.
A long-fruited, single stem variety.
suitable for growing as a summer and rainy season crop.

(C) Descriptive Catalogue of Vegetable Seeds Produced At

The Vegetable Breeding SubStati01l
Katrain, Kulu Valley, Punjab (I), as it stood in 1956.
(Under The India a Agricultural Research Institute,

New Delhi)
Foreword :-Upon the availability and quality of seed depends, in large
melUure, the success of commercial vegetable growers or of the numerous home
gardeners. There have been and there still exist to some extent difficulties of
obtaining good reliable seeds of vegetable crops.
There are two main groups of vegetables from the seed production pow t
of view. In one are included vegetables the seeds of which can be easily produced in the vast plains of this sub-continent. There is the second group which
includes vegetables requiring the temperate type of climate for successful seed
production. This latter group comprises in particular cabbage, knol-khoI,
cauliflower, temperate varieties of carrot, turnip and radish and garden beet.
lettuce etc.
Till a rew years ag , seeds of the above mentioned temperate varieties
were imported from abroad and they were costly. In the year 1949, the Ministry
of Food & Agriculture, Government of IncUa, set up a station in the Kulu

( 396 )
Valley, Punjab, for the production of seeds of promising varieties of these vegetable crops. This station has since then continued to meet the demands for these
seeds which have been sold at very favourable rates to suit every pocket. This
station has also been producing seeds of choice varieties of other vegetables such
as tomato, brinjal, peas, beans, capsicum, cucumber, squash etc.
Since April, 1955, this station has come under the administrative and technical control of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
Besides seed multiplication, this station has also now initiated several new research projects for evolving new improved vegetable varieties suitable for various
Indian conditions. Steps have also been taken to reorganize the bulk seed
production on scientific lines to enhance the quality seeds offered for sale.

ASPARAGUS.
Perfection:

Plentiful:

Early, spears large, thick and green, succulent with tight tips.

BEANS-(DRENCH)
Early, bush, green-podded, pods long, fairly
straight, stringless. Seeds large, flat, oval, black.

Black Prince:

Midseason, bush, green-podded, heavy yielding, pods long and narrow, seeds black.

Red Kidney :

Early, fi ld or dry shell type, pods very light

green, oval, flat, stringy and fibrous. Seeds
large, kidney, shaped, reddish brown.

Giant Stringless
green Pod.

Early, bush, green podded., . pods round,

slighdy curved, thick, tender, meaty, and
stringless, highly productive. Seeds reddish
brown.

green-podded, pods large,

Kentucky- wonder : Late, pole,
round, thick and meaty, stringless. Very
heavy cropper.

BEANS (LIMA)

Ear?y baby potato: Late, bush, plants compact, very prolific, pods green, large containing plumpy
beans of high quality, seeds white.

397

BEANS (ASPARAGUS, VEGETABLI

COWPEA OR LOBIA).
Asparagus beans Late, climber, pods green, long 24-30 inches,
round to oval, in bunches of three to four,
seeds black.
BEET
Detroit darkred: Roots round with deep red skin, smooth
and uniform, small collars and tap root.
FJesh very dark, blood red with light red
zoning, tender and fine grained.
Crimsoll globe :
Roots globular to flattened globe, medium
red, shoulders small, flesh medium dark
red with indistinct zones. Heavy yielder.
Cro.rby's Egyptian: Roots semi-globe or slightly flattened smooth
with slender tap roots, flesh dark purplish
red with lighter coloured zones. Sweet,
crisp and tender.
BRINJAL
Chinese velvet:
Early, prolific, fruits deep purple, s.traight, exceptionally long, tips round, excellent variety.
PI/sa purtle [ong: Early, prolific, fruits dark purple, straight,
long smooth and glossy. Quality fruits.
CABBAGE
GOlden acre :
Early, heads uniform, solid and round.
Plants small and compact with few outer
leaves, short stemmed, leaves small cup shaped. Interior clear white of excellent quality.
Sure head
Main eason variety : uniform, large flatten d or drum shaped heads, short stem,
frame small, few cutter leaves reliable keeper.
CARROT
Nantes half long: Early, cylindrical, blunt ended, very small
tap root, 6" lang and Ii" thick, skin and
flesh bright orange red, practically careless, fine grained, sweet and crisp.

( 398 )

Imperator:

Tops medium high, abundant and strong

for bunching. Roots long and Ii" to 2"
thick, smooth and uniformally tapering in a
semi-blunt end. Flesh rich orange colour.
Core small and self coloured. Very sweet and
juicy.

CAPSICUM (VEGETABLE AND PICKLING

VARIETIES)
Hot P()rtugal :
Fruits long, pointed, almost straight, medium
thick skinned, attaining bright l' d colour at
maturity. Flesh fiery, hot and pungent.
Suitable for pickling.
California wonder: Fruits blocky or square, smooth, deep green.
Flesh thick, sweet and fine flavoured. Good
producer over an e.'c:tended period. Vegetable variety.
King of North: Fruits exceptionally long, gradually tapering, dark green, m dium thick. Flesh
crisp, mild and sweet. Vegetable variety.
SweetBanana:
Fruits long, pointed, almost straight. Flesh
medium thick, sweet and fine flavoured.
Good for salads.
CELERr
Wright's grove giant: Medium late, tall growing, produces large
white sticks of fine quality. Immense
cropper.
Standard bearer: Early, medium tall plants, produces medium
pink stems with white longitudinal streaks.
Sticks solid of good size and flavour.
Fordhook emperor: Late, plants dwarf and stocky, produces
saUd, white, thick, broad and tender stalks.
White Vienna

KNOLKHOL
Early, dwarf growing. Bulbs globular, light,
green and very smooth. Flesh creamy white,
tender. Flavour delicate.

399 )

LEEK
Stem long, thick, well blenched, vigorous
and attractive. Leaves large and green.
Giant musselburgh : Stems long, thick, white and hardy. Leaves
bluish green. Can stand over winter where
climate is not too severe. ,Blenched portions longer.

American Flag:

LETTUCE.
Imperial 847 :

Medium late, heading variety, heads medium

large, solid and well covered with heavily
blistered outer leaves. Leaves tender and
crisp.
May king
Early, small butter head, suitable for very
close planting, heads light green, medium
small, round, finn, interior rich golden yellow,
buttery.
Paris white cos: Medium late, self-folding cos type, plants
upright, leaves dark green, thick, smooth and
upright well folded firm head.
Chinese Tetlow:
Early, loose
leafy variety, leaves light
green, crisp tender and sweet, heavily productive.
OKRA
Perkin's long green: Main season variety, plants tall and prolific, pods long, 8-ended, bright green, spineless, fleshy and tender.
Mosscur/fd :

.Hamburgh:

PARSLEl
Plants dwarf, compact and productive,
leaves dark green, very finely cut, serrated
and deeply curled to resemble tufts of mOSS .
. Excellent for gardening and decorative purposcs.
Plants tall with coarse and tough stems,
leaves plain, deeply cut, resembling those
of cele~y, roots fleshy and edible.

( 400 )
PEAS
Early, tall. Pods dark green, straight
plump, borne singly, well filled and blunt
peas. Excellent large and round oval.
Seeds wrinkled, creamy green.
Early giant:
Early, medium tall and pods dark green,
slightly curved, long and well filled. Peas
of excellent quality. Very heavy cropper.
English wonder: Midseason, dwarf, pods medium long,
plump well filled. Peas sweet and of excel
lent quality. H avy yielder.
RADISH(RAPID GROWING VARIETIES)
White icicle:
Skin pure white, tender; flesh icy white,
crisp, juicy, mild of delight and sweet flavoured. Roots solid, icicle shaped, straight
and tapering.
Rapid red:
Skin bright red, smooth, flesh pure white,
crisp and delightfully snappy, pungent in
flavour. Roots solid, round, small with
short tops.
Woods long frame: Skin delightfully red, tender, smooth flesh
white, crisp and juicy, very delicious. Roots
long, tapering, straight. Tops medium.
SPINACH
Virginia savoy: Plants upright, vigorous, leaves blistered,
crumpled thick, dark gr n and juicy. Good
yielder over an extended period.
SQUASH
Early, plants strictly bush and compact
Early yellow
with ample foliage permitting close planting.
prolific:
Fruits smooth of delicate creamy colour, firm
and usable when 4"5" long till 10"-12"
long.
TOMATO
Early, plants large and prolific. Fruits
Rutgers:
bright red, large, globular shaped, smooth
and thick walled. Seeds few.
Thomas Laxton:

( 401
Italian red pear: Early; plants large. Fruits scarlet red
medium sized, truly pear shaped, borne
in clusters, thick walled with mild flavour.
Excellent for transport.
Early; an immense cropper, yields large
BeJt of all :
bunches at short intervals. Fruits deep
scarlet, good sized, round and less seeded.
Medium late, plants large and vigorous.
Marglobe:
Fruits uniform deep scarlet, large, smooth
uniformly globe shaped, less seeded, mildly
acidic. Fair keeper.
Main
season type, plants medium large.
King Hum"ert :
Fruits small, oblong, longitudinally ridged,
thick skinned, deep scarlet. Fruits borne
in clusters. Excellent variety to travel long
distances.
Sioux:
An American main season variety, plants
medium large, fruits round, smooth, red of
good size and superior quality. Heavy
yielder.
TURNIP
Purple top white Roots nearly round, smooth, purplish-red
above and white below. Flesh white, crispy
globe :
and m.ildly sweet flavoured. Heavy cropper.
Tops small erect and compact.
Golden balt :
Roots perfectly globose, medium sized
smooth and creamy yellow; flesh yellow,
finn, fine grained and sweet. Tops small
and erect.
Early, roots round, smooth, pure white
Snow ball :
skinned; flesh white, fine grained, sweet and
tender. Tops small, erect and compact.
WATERMELON
Summer delight : Fruits round, average 15 Ibs.; smooth, pale
to yellow green very fairly striped; rind very
thin but tough. Flesh dark pink, crisp, sweet
and of very good quality. Seeds black, does
very well on hills too as a summer crop.

INDEX
Abu, 252
Achras sapota, 286
Adad,I99
Adrak, 354
Algilops caudata, 6
Aegilops ovala, 6
Aegilo-triticum, 6
Agaricus campestris, 384
Agathi grandiflora, 371
Agave, 216, 259
Agave cantala, 259
Agave jurCToydes, 259
Agave rigida, 259
Agave sisalana, 259
Agave veracrtLt, 259
Agat" wightii, 259
Ageotropic mutation, 43
Albinism, 29, 165, 173,306
Alfalfa, 359
Allium eepa, 302, 303
Allium salivum, 351
Aloe, 216
Alpbonso mango, 269, 270
Alsl, 8g
Amarallthes spp ,359
Amaryllidaceae, 259
Ameri.can cottons, 240 etc.
Amorpltophallus companulatus, 304
Anacnrdiaceae, 269, 283
Anacardium occidentale, 283
Ananas sativus, 287
Anapa, 200
ADar,268
Andi, 127
Andropogoll halepense, 359
Andro/Jogon pur/Jureo, 358
A'zdropognn sorghum, 14'2, 15'2, 358
Annonaccae, 284
Annona retieulala, 284
A nnona squamosa, 284, 285
AoU -virai, 89
Apocarpy, 289
Apple, '287
Aracene, 299
Arachis hypogaea, 89, 117 et seq.
Arachis nambygvoroe. 121
Arachis rosteriro, 12 r
A-randl, 127
Aree(z cattellu, 353
Areca-n ut, 353
Arg,mond gralzdlfiora, 374Ar,tmon, mexicana, 374

Arhar, 179
Arisi, tlg
Asal rai, 101
Asparagus, 396
Asparagus beans, 397
Asynapsis, 3 1 , 43, 297
Autumn rice, 66
Avare, 200
Avena by.r:antina, 20
Avena sativa 20, 358
Avena slerilis, 20, 358
kedorachta indica, 374
Badsbahi rai, 101
Bajara, Ba jra, Bajd, 136, 160
Bamboos, 374
Bambusa, 374
Banana, 265
Banga sarllon, 101
Bara aarllon, 101
Bara s eJni, 2 12
Barbad, 207
Barley, 16-19, 376, 381 , 38 9
Bassia latitolia, 286
Beans, 179, '396 , 397
Beans & Pulses, 179 et seq.
Beet, 397
Bela, 370
BeDarlli ral, 101
Ber, 285
Berseem, 358, 360,
Besara, 195
Betel nut, 353
Betel-vine, 353
Bheranda, 12 7
BbiDdi, 395
Bignoniaceae, 37 1
Black gram, 199 et seq.
Boot, 186
Bor, 285
Bora, 207
Bottle gourd, 395
Brassica, 1 01 et seq.
B rassica spp., 89
Brassica campestris, 10 1- 106
Brassica carinala, 105, 30 1
Brassicajuncea, 101 , 1 2, 104- 106
Brassica najJus, 101-r 0 6
Brassica nigra, 101 . 102, 104, 105
Brassi. a ollTaCltl, 104, 305

.( 403 )
'.

Cieer arietitlum, 186 el seq .

Ciur kabulillm, 188
Cinchona, 355
Cincluma ludgeriana, 355
Cinchona vftCinialis, 355
Cinchona robugla, 355
Cinchona succirubra, 355
Cinnamommum camjlhora, 371
Citrus auranJii/JLia, 277
Citrus ourantlum, 277
Citrus decuma/la, 278
Gitrus fruits, 277
CitM hystrix, 277, 27 8
Citrus limelta, 27 8
Citrus limonia, 27 8
Cabbage, g05, 397
Citrus maximo, 278
Cajanlls cajan, 179 ,t seq.
Citrus medica, 27 8
Cajanus indicuS, 179 It seq.
Citrus nobilis, 27 8
Cambodia cot on, 227, 228
Citrus paradisi, 27 8
Camellia sinensis, 347
Citrus sinCllsis, 278
Camellia tllea, 347-349
Clove, 354
Camphor, 371
Clover, 358
Canavalia ensiformis, 212
Cluster bean, 207, 358
Calmabis indua, 349
Cluster ~arjety of ric, 32
Cannabis saliva, 349
Coccinia itldica, 2U4
Capricum allnuum, 295- 298, 39 8
Coconul. 89, 124 et seq.
Capsicumfrutesctns, 297
Cocos, 124- " $tq.
Carao g pongam, 89
Cocos nucifoTo, 89, 124 " seq.
Cardamom, $.~3,
Coffea arabica, 346-348
Cardamomum ojjicinale, 353
COJftD excelsa, 346
Caricaceae, 274Cvlla libemD, 34-6, 347
Carica papaya, 274 el seq., 3 2 5
Cvlea robusta, 34-G
Carrot, 397
Coffia stenophyl/a, 346
Carl/,amu, O"YOCalltha, 13 2
Carthamus til~torius, 89, 130 et seq. Coffee, 346, 347
Coirobatote canes, 309 et ~eq.
Caryota finns, 37 1
Couus, 374
Chew-nut, 28.ll
CDl/ttotrichum fa/tatum, 3 2 4Casssia IIngusli/olia, 355
Colocasia onliquorum, 299
Cassia didymabotrya, 355
Common millet, 176
Castilloa elastica, 37 2
Compositae, 130, 134Castor, 8g, 127. 128
Condiments, 340 It seq.
Cauli-Jlower, 104,3 0 5
Corchorus aeulangulus, 250
Ceara, 372
Corchorus capsularis, 2l ct seq.
Celery, 398
Corchorus olitorius, 248 " Stq.
CepllalandHJ indua, 1184Coriander, 35 1
Cereals, 1
Coria"drum sativum, 351
Chacotra, 278
Cotton, !H6 d seq., 376
ChameU, 37 0
Crocus sativus, 372
Chana,I 86
Crotalaria intermedia, 1152
Chara, l og
Crotalaria junctQ., 251 d seq.
CbhimJ.. 195
Crotalaria laburnifolia, 25 2
CblkJl1ld1l1 200
Crotalario meduaginta, 25 11
Cblku, l!80
Crotalaria mysorensis, 252
Chilli, 295-298, 384, 38 5, 392 , 393
Crota/aria arix..nsis, 252
Chimera, 1 32
Crata/aria quinqu4o lio , 115 2
ChIna, 176
Crola/aria retusa, 252, 253
Chloris gayana, 359
Crota/aria stmea, 25 2
Cbola, 186,
Grota/aria striata, lIS2
Cbolaul, 358 ,
Crotalaria trifoliastrum. 25 11
Chota Alacbl, 555

Brassica rapa, 104

Brassua rugosa, 1 01
Brassica tourne/ortii, 105
Bread wlleal, I
Brinjal, ~89, 397
Broad bean, :210, 211
BromC'liaceae, 2 8 7
Brown sarSOD, 104, 106
Brussd's sprout, 30 5
Bu ck-wheat, 373
Bulot, 195
Burma bean, 211
Burmese shanknoo, 27 8

( 404 )
Crotalaria VtmlCosa, 25 2
Crucuerae, 109 " Stl/., 300, 3 0 5
CryPtos~gia grandif/ora, 372
Cucumber, 300
Cucumis salivus, 300
Cucurbitaceae, 284, 300, 301
Cucurbila maxima, gOI
Cuminum ,yminum, 351
Cuminum odorum, 35 1
Cummin seed, 35 1
Curcuma longa, 3~2
Cyamopris psoralwida, 207. 358
Cymbopogon virgatus, 3 6 2
Cymbopogon cauius, 361
Cymbopogon citra Ius, 362
Cymbopogon claudestinus, 362
Cymbopogon coloratus, 362
Cymbopogon flexuosus, 3 62
Cymbopogon martini, 362
Cymbopogon nardus, 3 62
Cymbopogon polyneuros, 361
Cynodon dacl>'lon, 360
Date palm, 285
Datura fastuosa, 325
Deep water paddy, 72
Dmdrocalamus slnctus, 359, 360,370(.
D ew gram, 207
Dba_, 351
DbaDia, 351
Dbapat, 340
Dbub, 360
Dialysis of carpels, 95
Digitaria spp., 359
Dolichos biflMUS, 2 I 2
Dolichos lab/ab, 200 el seq.
Drugs, 340 II seq.
Dua, 109
Dual-purpose lhueed, 95
Duaa. 109

Egyptian berseem, 3S 8
Elai:hi, 353
Elephant grlW, 359
Elephant yam, 304
Eleliaria cardamo"._, 353
Eleusine aegypliaea, 174
E/eusine brevifolia, 174
Eleusine coraeana, 136, 170 et seq.
E/ewine indica, 174
Ella, 110
Emmer wheat, I
Eraptcb, 127
Eragrostis abyssinica, 359
Erand, 12 7
Eriobotrya )aponica, 287
Eruca sativa 89, 109, " s~.
Ervum lens, 213
Euchlaena mt.KictDIa, 358, ~61

Eugenia caryophyllata, 354Euphorbiaceae, 127

Fagopyrum tSculentum, 373
Fibres, 96, 97, 216, II seq.
Fibre percentage in linseed straw, 97
Ficus elastica, 372
Ficus giomerala, 286
Ficus reiigiosa, 286
Fig, 286
Finger millet, 170 et seq.
Flax. 95-97,216,259-263'
Fodder & grasses. 358
French bean, 2 I I, 396
Fruit crops, 264
Fusarium l1asirifectum, 184
Fusarium wilt of cotton, 22 I
Gabna .ar.OD, 101

Garden bean, 200 tI seq.

Garlic, 351
Gasteromycetu, 304
CbaD, 259
Cbaipat, 259
Chaipati, 259
Gbiya, 395
Ghogari cotton, 23 1
Ghoramala, 195
Ginger, 354
Glycine hispida, 206
Goa bean, 212
Gomdbaa,23
Gossypium arboreum, 216,22 1,225- 22 7,
23 2,23'h 239
Gossypium armourianum, 226, 227
Gossypium barbaden.u, 2 1 9- 2112
Gossypium cernu,", 220, 221, 224, 225
Gossypium davidsonii, 227
Gossypium herbaelum, 216, 21 7,2110,
222,22'1->226,227,239
Gossypium harknessii, 22,
Gossypium hirsutum, 21 9,223,226,227
2311,235, 23 6.
Gossypium indicum, 11211, 1124- 211 7,
229

Gossypium neglectum, 2 I " 2200222

GQssypium obtusifolium, 216, 221, 21lt
Gossypium peruvianul7I, 240
Gossypium purpurascens, 226
Gossypium sanguineum, 21', 220
Gossypium spp., 216 d s~.
Gossypium stocksii, 2116
Gossypium thurberi, 227
Gram 186 It seq., 382, 390
l
Granl1naceae,
I, I 36, 165, I 66,170,
361, 362 , 374
Grape fruit, 278
Grape vine, 1181, 11811

( 405
Grasses & fodder, 358
Greater millets, IS6, 358
Green gram, 195 d seq.
Ground-nut, 89, X17 et uq.
GUIU', 395
Guava, 280, lI81
Guinea grass, 358, 359, 360
Gui.t:,olia abyssinica, 89, 134, 135
Gwliya. 299
Gynandropsis pmlaphylla, 3115

Halad, 352
Haldi, 352
Haploid plant in rice, 43
Helianlhus amlUUS, 359, 361
Heliconia melaUica, 266
HerlLD, 127
Herbaceum cotlon, 227 etc.
Heterosis, 301; 289 etc.
Heula brlJ.(.ilensis, 3711
Hibiscus, 216
Hibiscus cannabinus, 255-457, 38<4,
. 385, 393
Hibiscus escul,n/us, 300
Hibiscus sabdariffa, 1155-257, 384,
~85, 39~
Hibiscus synatus, 258
Hibiscus uitjfolius, 325
Honey sorghum, 153
Hordeum dislichon, 16
Hordeum uulgare, 16
Horse gram, 212
Hyacinth bean, ROO
Hybrid vigour, 301. !l8g etc.
Imperial Pusa strams (I. P.).380 "~nfo
Indian field bean, !l00 d s'9.
Indian flax, 96, 97
Indian hemp, 349-351
Indian millet, 166 eI seq.
Indian Pusa strains, 380 It Sl9.
Indian ._jl, 358
Indigo 369
Indigoftra arliculata, 369
Indigifera e"ecla, 369
Indigofera longeracemose, 369
Indigo/era racemosa. 369
Indigo/era nif/rulilosa, 369
Indigo/era sumalrana, 369
Indigo/era linctoria, 3:\9
Inter-generic cross (Brassica carillllta
xR4PhaTIUI S4/iIlUS), 105
Inter-generic crosses (wheat). 6
Intel'-generic hybddization between
Momordica X Tricllllsant/ws, SOO
Inter-generic hybridization, SauJI..
arum X Bamboo, 3J7

)
Inter-generic bybridization, Saccharum X Maize, 3 I 7
Inter-generic hybridization, Saccharum X Sorghum, 317
hybridization
in
Inter-specific
Arachis, 121
Inter-specific
hybridizadon
in
Brassica, 104, 105.
Inter-specific
hybridization
in
Capsicum, 297
Inter-specific hybridization in CarIhamus, 132
Inter-s.eecific
hybridization
in
Coffea, 347
Inter-specific hybridization in cotton,
2115, 226 et seq.
Inter-specific
hybridization in
Crotalaria, 253
Inter-specific hybridization in Ipomoea batatas, 301l
Inter-speci11c hybridization in Lu//a,
303 :c. h y b rl'd'lzallon
.
. or'
I nter-specwc
In .,>lCOliana, 343
Inter-specific hybridization in Lycopersicum, 304, 305
Inter-specific hybridization in Saccharum, 317
Int r-specific hybridization in Solanum,
118 9, 29 1
Inter-specific
hybridization
in
Sorghum, 152
I. P. Strains, 380 " seq.
Ipomoea balalas, 301, 302
Ipomoea hispida. 361
fridaceae, 372
Is,ilema Dntluphoroids, 360
Istilema loxum, 360
Iseilema spp., 359
Italian rye grass, 359

Jafraa,

130
358
JaDlbho, log
lUDbur" 278
amnagar giant bajrD, 161,
asmine, 369, 370
jasminum, 369, 370
Jasminum arbortscms, 370
Jasminum auriculalum, 370
Jasminum /I,/fih, 370
Jasminum /lrandjflorum, 370
Jasmimnn humil', 370
Jasmin,." pub,sCtns, 370
Jasmilulmprimulinum, 870
Jasmittum ri,gidum, 370

Jat,

1611

( 406
Jasmitwm sambac, 370
Jawall, 89
Jeera, 351
Jeo, 351
JUakara, 351
Jowar, 136 et seq.
Juar, 136
Jute, 216, 248 et seq.
KabuU gram, 188, 190
Kabull shaftaI, 358
Kakan, 166
Kalai, 199
KaDlala nwbu, 278
Karala, 134
Karan Jamb, 277
Kard!, 130
Kaf ungalllli cotton, 229
Kaswuba, 130
Kerao, 204
Ketki, 259
KhaJoor, 285
Khaki-coloured cotton, 216
Khandesh cotton, 231
Kbapli wheat, 4-7
Khall Kba., 362
Khas ral, 101
Kbesad, 1102
Kidney bean, 1111
Kidney colton, 2113
Kirluc, 166
Kleruya, 195
Knol-khol, 305, 398
Kodo, 136
Kodo millet, 165
Kolamba rice, 26, 44, 45, 47
KottaDluththu, 127
Kudzu vine, 373
Kulu seeds, 395
Kumpta cotton, 2119
KUlllUD, 130
Ku.umba, 130
KUflumi, ISO
Kutkl, '77

Labiatae, 374
Lady's finger, 300
Lakh, 202

Lang,

202

LasUD,35'
Lathyrism, 202
L{ltJ!)'Ttj~ Jutivus, 202 et seq.
Latri, 202
Lauraceae, 37!
Leek, 399
Leguminosae. 135, '79, 186, 195,
199, 202, 204, 207, 210, 21121 3, 25 1 , 351, 369, 37 1,
373
Lemon grass, 361

2 13, 383, 391

albuminosa, 304
mastoides, 304
millets, IS6, 176
L~~tuce, 399
Lillaceae, 302, 35 1 , 371
Lima beans, 396
Lime, 279
Lime fruit, 277
Linaceae, 89
Linseed, 89 et seq., 383, 385, 391,
392
Linseed straw (Indian flax) , 96, 97
Linum IlsitatissimuIII, 89 et seq ., 259Lentil,
Lepiota
Lepiola
Lesser

26 3

Litchi,286
Litchi chillensis, 286
Lobia, 394, 397
Lobium italicum, 359, 360
Lucerne, 358
LuJJa acutongula, 303
LuJJa aepptiaca, 303
Lujja cyllndrica, 303
Lycopersicum escule1ltum, 304. 305
Lycoptrsicum pimpinellrjolium, 304, go.')
Mag, 195
Mahalung, 278
Maize, 23, 359, 361
Maka, 23
Makai, 23
Makhan .un, 21.2
Malvaceae, 300
Mandua, 170
Mango, 269
Mangifera indica, 269 et seq.
Manitoba wheat, 3
Medicago sativa, 358, 359
Marrynia diandra, '12
Marua, '70
Matter, 204
Medicinal plants, 340 et seq., 55!>
Melia oJ!odaracll, 374
Melilotus parvi/lora, 358
Meth, 207
Methi,354Milium, 176
Millets, 136 d seq.
Millingtonia hortensis, 37'
Minion DollaI cotton, l;l21
Mimusops elengi, 286
Mitha nhubu, 278
Mochaf, .200
Moharl rat, 101
Mollisoni cotton, 2127
Momordica charantia, goo, 301
Momordica dioica, 301

( 407
~oraceae,

286, 349
299
Moringa al_if.ra, 299, 300
Moringa pt6rygosperma, 299
Moms alba, 286
Morus indica 1186
Mlldiya wheat, 7
~ulberry, 286
Mullani cotton, 253
Multanl rai, tOI
MlludaJ, '70
MUDg, 195, 199, 383, 390, 391
J.1usa, 265
MIISa cavendish ii, 266
Musa paradiJiaca, 266
J.,fusa mbra, 266
M:usa sapientum, 266
Musa superba, 266
Musaceae, 265
~u shroom, 304
~ustards, 89
~ut8tion in chilli, 297, 298
~utation
in
finger
millet
171~utatlon in gram, 193
~utacion in lioseed, 95
~utation in pigeon-pea, 184
Mutation in rice, 43
Myrtaceae, 1180, 354
~oringaceae,

Napier grass, 359

Narangl, 278
Narikel, 124
Ntphtlium litchi, 286
New PlIsa strains, 380 6t seq .
Nicotialla glauca, 342, 343
NicatiOlla mr~ltjvatuis, 342 , 343
Nicatjono plumbaginifolia, 3411-344
Nicotiana ru lica, 340 , 343
Nicotiarla suaveolens, 342, 343
Nico/ialla labacll1l1, 340 , 344
Nigel', 89, 134, 135
Nimboo, 278
N. P. strains, 380 6t seq.
O ats, 20, 358, 376, 381, 389
ilseeds, 89 et seq.
Oleace. e, 369
Okra, 399
Onion, 302, 303
OpiLlm poppy, 35 2 , 353'
Opufllia etalior, 359
Ory;:;a, 25. 42, 45
Ory<.a uhiinl(cri, 27
Ory<.a grallutala, 27
Oryl:.a tOflgistaminata, 44
Oryta lTIeyeria.la, 117
Ory<.a o/ficinalis, 411

Ory<.o sativa, 25, 27, 42

Osmocitrus, 278
Paehupayaru, 195
Paddy, 26, 381, 3!l9
Paddy fAlnan), 52, 7 2
Paddy Aus), 54
Paddy Boro) , 72
Paddy (Deep water), 72
Paddy (Double grained), 26
Pahadi rai, 101
Palmae, 124, 2B5, 353, 37 1
Panicum crusgalli, 176
Panicum crus-galli var /rummlaceum, 177
Panicllm jlllnmtorum, 358
Panicum maximum 35!l, 359, 360
Panicum miliaceum, 176
Panicum mitiore, 176, 177
Panicum muticum, 359
Papaveraceae, 352
Papaver somniferum, 352
Papaya, 274
Para grass, 359
Parasorghum, 153
Parsley, 399
Parthenogenesis, 344
Paspalum sanguinale, 165
Paspatum scrobiculatum, 136, 165
Pav"ri, 130
Pea, 384, 385, 39 2 , 394,400
Peach. 285. 286
Pearl millet, 160 el seq.
Pedaliaceae, log
PermisetuIII claudtstinum, 360
Penlliseturn purpureum, 358, 359
Penniselum typhoidu, 160 et .uq.
Pennisetum typlloiddum, 136, 160 el seq.
359
Perennial cotton, 223
Peeso-American cotton, 2311
PeyeUa, 134
PllaseolllS aconieifolitlS, 207
Phaseolus aureus, 195 II seq.
Phaseolus mungo var. Roxburghii, ' 9:).
19 6, 199
Phaseolus radialllS, 195 It seq . 199
Phaseolus tritobllS, 358
Phasaotus vlltgaris, 211
PIlo61lix dattylifera, 285
Phoenix /arini/era, 2[\5
Phoenix sylvlstris, 285
Phyllociy, J lot, 253
Pigeon p ea, 179 It seq.
PUll BarBon, 101
Pine-apple, 287
Pip"l, 286
Piperaceae, 353, 354

~8

Piper- betel, 353

Piper longum, 354Pipla JDuk, 355
Pipul, 354
Pisum aruense, 204Pisum sativum, 204
Pivli raf, 101
Plantain, 265
Plum , 283
Polyembryony i.n finger millet, 174
Polyembryony in Indian millet, 168
Polyembryony 0 K?do millet, 165
Polyembryony m rice, 3r
Polygonaceae, 373
Polyploidy in brinjal, 290
Polyploidy in chillies, 297, ~98
Polyploidy in Nicotiana, 343
Polyploidy in pearl millet, 163
Polyploidy in Sola/lum, 292
Phylloidy in Solanum m 8Iong~, 290
Pomegranatc, 268
Pongam, 135
Pongamia, 135
Pongamia glabra, 89, 135
Popat, 200
Potato, 2g0-292
Prince of mangoes, 269
Prunus communis, 283
Prunus persica, 285, 286
Psidium cattltyanum, 280, 28r
Psidium guyava, 280, 281
Psidium molle, 280, 281
Psophocarpus tetragonolohus, ~ 12
Pueraria thunbergiana, 373
Pubes, '79 et seq.
Punicaceae, 268
Punica granatum, 268
Punjab-American cotton, 23G etc.
Puntumia elastica, 372
Pusa ~tra ins, 380 d seq.
Pyrethrum roseum, 3~5
Pvrethrum cinerarifollum, 355
Radish., 300, 400
Raef, 136, 170
Rabar, 179, 382 , 389, 3go
Rai, 101, 102
RaJDp'hal, 284RamtU, 134
RamtilJa, 134
Raphallus sativus, 105, 300, 301
Rasun, 35 1
Red leaf blight of cotton, 21 9, 232
R ed pepper, 295-2g8
Rbamnaceae, 285
Rice (Autumn), 66
Rice (Cluster variety), 32
Ri ce (Double grained paddy), 26
Rice (Kolamba) 26

Rice (Sarpja), 44Rice (Spring), 25, 66, 376

Rice (Wild), 45
Rice (Winter), 68, 73
Riel/IUS, 127, Bl8
Riei/lus communis, 8g, 127, 128
Root-rot disease of cotton, 220
Rosaceae, 285
Roseum cotton, 231
Rough Peruvian cotton, 223
Rubber plants, 372
Rubiaceae, 34 6, 31)5
Russian varieties of cotton, 228
Rutaceae, 277

Saccharum, 152
Saccharum barberi, 309
Saccharum munja, 32!l
Saccharum narsuga, 322
Saccharum ofJicinarum, 309 et seq., 322
Saccharum rolNtslum, 3 I 7
Saccharum sillmse, 309
Saccharum spontaneum, 309,31 1, 317
_3 19, 3 21 -3 2 3
Safflower, 89, 130 " Slq., 384, 385,
3g2, 394
Saffron, 372
Sago palm, 371
Sahwaa, 109
Sallseuieria roxburghiana, 371
Saatra, 278
Sapatu, 286
Sapindaceae, 286
Sapotaceae, 286
SarguJa, 134Sarsoa, 101 - 104,106, 107
SaHora, 277
Seedless guava, 280
Semi-sterile mutant in Capscicum
annuum, 298
SeaJI, 358
Seaaa, 355
Sesame, 89, 109 et seq.
Sesamum indicum, 109
Sesamum laciniatum, 1 1 1
Sesamum orientale, 8g, 109 61 Stq.
Sesamum prostratum, I l l , 11 3
Sesamum radiatum, I 11-113
Sesbania grandiflora, 371
Setaria glauca, 166
Selaria italica, 166 et seq.
Sex in coriander, 35t
Sex in Indian hemp, 350, 351
Sex in Carica, 275
Sex in LifJa, 303
Sbaltat, 286
Sbaalmoo, 277, 278
Sbarb"' wheat, 7

. Sterility in tobacco, 343

Shwet Ifai, 101
I Straight head disease (of paddy), 36
Slrapm,35 1
I Sudan grass, 359
Silal hemp, 259
Sugarcane, 30 9 el seq., 37 6
Sitaphal, 284
Sugar crop, 309 II stq.
Solanaceae, 289, 295, 3 0 4, 340
unflower, 359
Solanum antipovic.(ii, 29 1
Sunnhcmp, !216, 251 et seq.
Solanum caidasii, 29 I
Sweet lime, 278
Solanum commersonii, 29 2
weet potato, 301, 302 , 394
Solanum demissum, 29 1
Solanum fendleri, 29 1
Solanum indieum, 292
Tabaccum, 384, 38 5
Solamlm leptostigma, 29 1
Tung, 340
Solanum maglia, 29 1
Tamakha, 340
Solanum melongena. 28g, 2g0
Tara, log
Solanum IItoantipoviQ;ii, 2g1
Taramlra,
89, log
Solanum nilfrum, 292
Tea, 347-3+9
Solanum olitts, 29 1
Tef grass, 359
Solanum subtilium, 29 1
Teora, 202
Solanum torvum, 2g11
Teosinte, ~58, 361
Solanum trilobatulII, 2glt
Thea as amICO, 348
Solanum tuberosum, 29- 2 9 2
Theaceae, 347
ola",,", verboseifolium , IIg2
Thea silltllsis, 347, 3l
olanum xanthoearpum, 28g
' omalic seltregation (in pigcon-pca), Theakai. 124
Thespesia popuilltil. 3 2 r.
18 4
Til, 110
onnohotti-Asiali
colLon.
239
Tiliaceae, 2+8
Sorghum 318, 376
Sorghum coffrorum, 137, 143, '44> Tllli, 110
Tlr, 110
150, 15 2 , 154
Tin, log
orghum canditum, 150, 152
Tobacco, 340, fl seq .. 38 4, 30 5, 394>
orghum caudotum, 137
Sorghum ccrernuum, 15 1, 1511 3 19
400
orghum conspicuum, 150
Tomato, 34, 30 5, 394. 395, 400
Sorghum dochna, 137, 14G
Tori
or
toria,
101- 104.
18
2
orghum durra, 146-14.8, 15 , 3 ,
106-17
3 1 9, 311 3
orghum guinttllse, 147,15 2 , 1"4,3 18
Tree yam, 304
Sorghum halepellense, 153, 3 1 9
Tri,hosanthes anguina, 300, 301
Sorghum nerVOIUIII, 137, 146 , 15 2
1
11
6
orghum papyrtsccns, 14 , 15 - 54 Trilhosanthes dioila, goo
Trifolium alexandrium, 358-3 60
orghum purpulro striceum, 153
TrifolirUTI resupilUlIIl1l1, 35 8
Sorghum rolundulum, 154
Trigonella
fo,num-grcucum, 354
2
6
Sorghum roxburghii, 143, 14 , lSI, 15
Trisomies in Capsicum arllluum. 297
Sorghum spp., 359
Triticum I It seq.
Sorghum sudorunst, 153, 3 1 9, 359
Triticum compaetulII, I
Sorghum vertidlliflorum, 3 1 9
Triticum dicoccum, I, 7
orghum vulgare, 136 et sIq.
Triticum durum, I, 7
Soybean, 206
Triticum SphlUrOCOCC"1II, r
pices, 340 d seq.
Triticum timoph""i, 7
pinacb, 400
Triticum tur~idum, I
pring rice (paddy) 66. 72
Trilicum vulgare. I d Sfq.
quasb, 4;00
Taar. 179
Sterility (Semi) chilli, 298
Turmeric, 35 2
Sterili ty in coUon, illig
01
Sterility in finger millet, 172, 173 Turnip, 104. 4
Tat. 1186
Sterility In grape, 11811
Umbelliferae. 35
Sterility in pearl millet, ,63
I Ureea14 Ilaslica , 37' 2
Sterility in plum, 118 3
Urjtf '99. 38 3, gill
Sterility in po"-to, 119 1

( 1+10
Val, 200
Vara, t76
Vegetables, 289
Vegetable cowpea, 394, 397 .
Vegetable seeds, 395
V ernaliza tion, 376
Verum cotton, 1131
Vetiv,ria .ci.!anoides, 362
Vida fda, 210, lUI
Vigna catjang, 207
Vigna sinensis, 207
VollJaria teraslius, 304'
Vulgare wheat, I , ,I s~q.

Wild rices, 45
Wild safflower, 132
Wintcl' rices, 58, 73
Wutbulu, 195
Xenia in pearl miU
I

Yam , 30 4
Yellow . ars on,

f,

103. 10+

Zea. 23, 3 20
Zta maJ's, 23. 359, 361
Zingiberaceae, 352~354
Zillgibcr riffic;IIali.f, 354Water melon, 281, 401
Zlra, 351
Wheat, 1 Bt $1'(/. , 376. 380 386 -3 83 , Zil!.iphus jujuba, !.I8S
Zi.ciplw.f rntltlldi!o!ia, 28 .)

II

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163

Thil book Ibould be returned on or before

he date mentioned below; or else the
rrower will be liable for overdue chlU'pl
8 per rules from the DUE DATE.
I. No.

S~. ~b 1(.1 (_ Ac. No. 3ho ~