Cengiz Ikten

Comparison of expressivity and penetrance of the double podding trait and yield components based on reciprocal crosses of kabuli and desi chickpeas ( Cicer arietinum L.)

Double podding in cultivated chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) can increase yield and yield stability. In the present study, we performed reciprocal crosses of ‘kabuli’ (double podded) and ‘desi’ (single podded) chickpeas to determine (i) the expressivity and penetrance of double podding, (ii) the correlations of yield and yield components, and (iii) the heritability of double podding, flower color, and stem pigmentation in F2 plants. Reciprocal crosses were performed with two genotypes, AC 2969 (kabuli) and ICC 4969 (desi), to generate F1 and F2 plants. The results indicated hybrid vigor (heterosis) for yield in F1 plants and better performance of F2 plants. Yield and yield components of some lines in F2 were superior to the best parent, indicative of transgressive segregation. In particular, the presence of double podding (‘s’ allele) significantly increased yield in some of the transgressive segregants. Expressivity and penetrance of the ‘s’ allele depends on the background of the female parent. Some of the double podding progeny had greater seed yields than those of the single podding progeny and greater seed yields than the best parents. Double podding, stem pigmentation, and pink flowers each appears to be governed by a single recessive gene. Stem pigmentation and pink flowers appear to be linked traits that depend on the genetic background of the crossed chickpeas. Taken together, our studies of reciprocal crosses of kabuli and desi chickpeas clearly showed that yield could be improved by selection for transgressive phenotypes that have double podding.

Multiplex Real-Time qPCR Assay for Simultaneous and Sensitive Detection of Phytoplasmas in Sesame Plants and Insect Vectors

Phyllody, a destructive and economically important disease worldwide caused by phytoplasma infections, is characterized by the abnormal development of floral structures into stunted leafy parts and contributes to serious losses in crop plants, including sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Accurate identification, differentiation, and quantification of phyllody-causing phytoplasmas are essential for effective management of this plant disease and for selection of resistant sesame varieties. In this study, a diagnostic multiplex qPCR assay was developed using TaqMan® chemistry based on detection of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of phytoplasmas and the 18S ribosomal gene of sesame. Phytoplasma and sesame specific primers and probes labeled with different fluorescent dyes were used for simultaneous amplification of 16SrII and 16SrIX phytoplasmas in a single tube. The multiplex real-time qPCR assay allowed accurate detection, differentiation, and quantification of 16SrII and 16SrIX groups in 109 sesame plant and 92 insect vector samples tested. The assay was found to have a detection sensitivity of 1.8 x 102 and 1.6 x 102 DNA copies for absolute quantification of 16SrII and 16SrIX group phytoplasmas, respectively. Relative quantification was effective and reliable for determination of phyllody phytoplasma DNA amounts normalized to sesame DNA in infected plant tissues. The development of this qPCR assay provides a method for the rapid measurement of infection loads to identify resistance levels of sesame genotypes against phyllody phytoplasma disease.

Cicer echinospermum P.H. Davis genotiplerinde nohut yaprak galeri sineğine [Liriomyza cicerina Rond. (Diptera: Agromyzidae)] dayanıklılığın değerlendirilmesi

Nohut yaprak galeri sinegi [ Liriomyza cicerina Rond. (Diptera: Agromyzidae)] dikkate deger verim kayiplarina yol actigi icin Turkiye’deki en onemli ve yaygin nohut ( Cicer arietinum L) zararlilardan biridir. Nohut yaprak galeri sinegi zararinin ustesinden gelmek icin en pratik, cevreci ve ekonomik cozumlerden biri dayanikli cesitlerin kullanilmasidir. Bu calisma tarimi yapilan nohut ile melezlenebilen Cicer echinospermum P.H. Davis genotiplerinin nohut yaprak galeri sinegine dayaniklilik icin degerlendirilmesini amaclamistir. C. echinospermum turune ait 22 genotip ve nohut yaprak galeri sinegine duyarli tarimi yapilan bir genotip tarla kosullarinda bir 1-9 gorsel olcek kullanilarak degerlendirilmistir. Hassas genotip (CA 2969) her 10 sirada tekrarlanmistir. Genotipler 1-9 gorsel olcegi uzerinden hassas genotip 8 olcek degeri aldiktan sonra degerlendirilmistir. C. echinospermum genotiplerinin buyuk cogunlugu dayanikli olarak bulunmustur. Bu dayaniklilik kaynaklari C. echinospermum tarimi yapilan nohut ile melezlenebildigi icin islah programlarinda kullanilabilecektir.

Screening, selection and real-time qPCR validation for phytoplasma resistance in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Phyllody is one of the most destructive diseases of sesame and causes serious yield losses worldwide. The present research was conducted to identify phyllody resistant genotypes in sesame. A total of 542 sesame genotypes were screened for the disease resistance in the field using a disease incidence scale of 1–5 in the year 2012. Three hundred four genotypes showing high disease intensity were eliminated under artificially infected field conditions. In the year 2013, only 30 out of 238 accessions were determined as potential resistant genotypes based on the disease incidence scale. These selected genotypes were further evaluated for confirmation of the resistance in greenhouse conditions using the phytoplasma-infected vector insects under choice and no-choice conditions. Furthermore, real-time qPCR was employed for detection and quantification of phytoplasmas to select true resistant genotypes. The sesame accessions ACS38 and ACS102 were identified as resistant to the disease after evaluation in field, greenhouse and qPCR assays. This work is one of the most comprehensive studies to select genotypes resistant to the diseases caused by phytoplasmas.

Seven SNPs in the Coding Sequence of Leptin Receptor Gene in Long-term Selected Japanese Quail Lines

The objective of this study was to identify SNPs in the coding sequence of the leptin receptor gene and to test for their possible association with 20 economically advantageous traits in 15 generations of 2 selected (HBW and LBW) and a control of japanase quail. A 350-bp part of the leptin receptor coding region was amplified and sequenced and understood that the fragment contained 7 SNPs (GenBank: KP674322.1-KP674328.1) that were detected in 5 loci (T3216C, T3265C, T3265G, C3265G, T3303C, A3311G, and T3347C) in a total of 30 individuals. The T3216C and T3303C SNPs located at the end of the codon were synonymous and did not affect the presence of proline. However, phenylalanine, leucine and valine were produced when the T3265C, T3265G and C3265G SNPs, respectively, were present. Glutamine or arginine was produced when the A3311G SNP was A or G, respectively, and serine was produced when the T3347C SNP was C. Although codons and amino acid sequences changed due to the second SNP, the secondary protein structure was not changed. However, the fourth and fifth SNPs changed both the amino acid sequences and secondary protein structure. Pairing the SNP loci with phenotypic traits created haplogroups. When all individuals were evaluated together, some of the differences between the haplogroups were statistically significant (p<0.05; p<0.01). These results showed that both the sequence and structure of the leptin receptor gene could be altered by long-term selection. However, to achieve a more precise understanding of the role of leptin, entire coding sequences of leptin and the leptin receptor should be studied.