https://scialert.net Research Journal of Botany en-us Science Alert Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:11:57 +0200 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:14:14 +0200 RssPublisher 0.2.0 beta https://scialert.net/images/logo.gif https://scialert.net 41 233 Research Journal of Botany Comparative Studies of Four Varieties of Manihot esculenta Crantz Background and Objective: Cassava products available in market for human consumption are from different cassava varieties. The study evaluated and compared some of the morphological and biochemical indices in 4 varieties of cassava (Manihot esculenta). Materials and Methods: The morphological parameters assessed were number of nodes, internodes, petiole length, stem length, stem color, leaf color and nature of branching per plant, while the biochemical indices were chlorophyll content of the leaves, hydrogen cyanide and proximate composition of the roots. Four varieties of cassava used were TMS 96/0603, TMS 92/0326, TMS 30572 and Umucass 44. Standard procedures were followed in the morphological and biochemical assessments. Results: The study showed morphological and biochemical differences among the four cassava varieties. Umucass 44 variety had the highest number of nodes with the lowest value for leaf petiole length compared to others. The early-branching and highest stem-length were observed in TMS 96/0603 variety, while others showed late-branching. The varieties with light-green pigmentation had the highest total chlorophyll content (TMS 92/0326>Umucass 44) followed by greenish-purple (TMS 30572) and dark-green (TMS 96/0603). The chlorophyll b of TMS 92/0326 variety was significantly different from the chlorophyll b of other varieties. TMS 92/0326 variety had the highest hydrogen cyanide content compared to other varieties. Crude fibre content was higher than the carbohydrate content in Umucass 44 variety, but the reverse was the case for other varieties. Conclusion: The study suggests the consumption of Umucass 44, TMS 96/0603 and TMS 30572 varieties based on the low cyanide content.]]> https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjb.2020.1.5 10 June, 2026 Varietal Screening and Infection Process of Fusarium proliferatum in Rice Varieties Background and Objectives: Bakanae is one of the major fungal diseases of rice. It is difficult to develop bakanae resistant varieties due to high genetic variation of the pathogen. Hence, bakanae is alarming in the affected rice growing areas of the world. It is essential to find out the infection process of the causal pathogen in rice plant to manage this notorious disease. Therefore, screening was done first to categorize the susceptible and resistant variety and then infection process of the causal pathogen was studied. Materials and Methods: Selected nine varieties were screened against bakanae disease susceptibility. Using the disease severity scale of 0-5, three disease scores of 1, 3 and 5 were found to produce typical bakanae symptoms in the susceptible variety MR 211 after 7, 14 and 21 days of inoculation, respectively. Inoculated varieties were categorized as resistant, moderately resistant and susceptible irrespective of DSI and combined effect of GA₃, FA, MON and chitinase activity. Among nine varieties, seven were identified as susceptible, one variety (G-27) as moderately resistant and one variety (BR3) as resistant. Results: It was observed that initiation of infection by F. proliferatum started after 24 h of inoculation and infection became established in the susceptible variety MR 211 after 5 days, while colonization was observed after 7 days. Thus, approximately 5-7 days for infection establishment and colonization were found suitable for symptoms expression. This infection was established through the seed coat of the susceptible variety MR 211. Conclusion: Knowing the duration of infection process and disease development of F. proliferatum in susceptible rice varieties, it will be helpful to take appropriate bakanae management option through disruption of its infection cycle.]]> https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjb.2020.6.15 10 June, 2026