Jugni, Dhola and Mahiya: Comparing

Among the amazing variety of forms of poetic expression by the folk of the Punjab region, this essay has selected three genres: mahiya, dhola and jugni. The study is meant to compare these three genres of Punjabi folklore, in their evolution, structure, expression and themes. The study finds that the three genres are very old in time origin and tracing their exact origins in history is impossible, only few hints are available. Their structures are variable, as mahiya has a fixed structure, dhola has rather loose structure giving more freedom to the singer-poet, and jugni has a specific meter in certain lines, but it has freedom to repeat some lines for perfect expression of the melody. The structures in fact follow the tunes, distinct for each genre. Three genres have many themes common, but jugni has spirituality as dominant theme, dhola has expression of love as dominant them and mahiya has now become quite inclusive, but it originated as expression of love and it still retains that character in its core. The folk heart of Punjab has endeared these three genres so much that these are appreciated far and wide in original tunes, but new experiments of tunes and themes are also underway. Being a true mirror of simple unsophisticated villagers these folk songs would lose popularity if these villagers become sophisticated hence the need for their preservation is highlighted in this study.

Qtls Conferring Root Architecture in an Interspecific Gossypium Hirsutum X Gossypium Barbadense Population

Genetic modification of the rooting system may lead to more drought tolerant upland cotton. A number of different root and physiological traits have been suggested as important mechanism of drought tolerance of cotton. This study was conducted to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring root architecture in an interspecific cross Gossypium hirsutum x Gossypium barbadense population. An F 2 population was developed which differed greatly in root characteristics. A genetic map covering 3190.50 cM, with 219 marker loci and 26 linkage groups, was constructed by using this F 2 population. The Two F 2 populations were grown in tube and pots experiments. Tap root traits (length, weight, and lateral root numbers) were evaluated. QTL analysis via composite interval mapping detected 17 QTLs, for three root traits including 3 QTLs for fresh root weight, 6 QTLs for lateral root numbers, and 2 QTLs for tap root length in tube experiment, while in pot experiment, 3 QTLs for fresh root weight and 3 QTLs for lateral root numbers were identified. Individually the QTLs accounted for 11-28% of phenotypic variation. Common QTLs were indentified for fresh root weight and lateral root numbers on chr. 18 & chr. 25 respectively, in both pot and tube experiments. The QTLs for root traits, firstly detected in Gossypium, may provide a basis for marker-assisted selection to improve productivity in root-crop breeding.