Kailash Chandra Samal

Identification of Variety Diagnostic Molecular Marker of High Yielding Rice Varieties

Twenty eight inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to determine the genotypic identification and phylogenetic relationship within 48 varieties of Indica rice including four aromatic rice grown in eastern part of India. Out of 44 upland and low land varieties, 39 varieties released by the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Orissa and five released by the other National Institutes of India. A total of 28 ISSR primers were screened representing di- and tri- nucleotide repeats, out of which 12 ISSR markers were selected for varietal analysis as diagnostic markers. The number of bands per locus ranged from 4 to 8, with an average of 6. The results revealed that all the primers showed distinct polymorphism among the varieties indicating the robust nature of ISSR markers. Most of the primers showed highest polymorphic information content and resolving power. The cluster analysis indicates that all the rice genotypes are grouped into two classes in which aromatic rice varieties clustered separately from upland and lowland varieties. Principal component analysis showed the distinct differences among themselves. Based on this study, the larger range of similarity values using ISSR markers provides greater confidence for the assessment of genetic relationships among the varieties. The information obtained from the DNA profile helps to identify the variety diagnostic markers in 48 rice genotypes. This outcome of the investigation can be used in background selections during backcross breeding programs.

Genetic Diversity Among Some Promising Indian Local Selections and Hybrids of Cashew Nut Based on Morphometric and Molecular Markers

ABSTRACT The present investigation reports an elucidation of genetic diversity among 12 promising Indian cashew nut cultivars, including 9 local selections and 3 hybrids on the basis of morphometric and yield parameters as well as random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Dice dissimilarity coefficient was used to discriminate cultivars with respect to gross phenotypic characters such as plant growth, flowering, fruit, and nut characters. DNA from these cultivars were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 35 decamer oligonucleotide primers of which 15 primers were able to generate informative polymorphism (average 79.187%). The unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) dendrogram segregated the cashew cultivars into two main clusters at 0.53 Jaccard’s similarity coefficient. Five different primers were identified with the ability to discriminate eight cultivars based on a unique band pattern. Although both morphometric descriptors and RAPD markers proved their effectiveness for distinguishing the different cultivars in cashew germplasm of India, the superiority of the latter was explicit being more informative as to genotypic discrimination and establishing genetic relationships.

High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography Fingerprint Profile of Rhizome Extracts of Five Important Curcuma Species

The genus Curcuma (Family: Zingiberaceae) has 80 different species. Some of the species have been used world-wide as functional food and traditional medicines. The bright coloured pigments in the rhizome of different Curcuma sp. come mainly from fat soluble polyphenolic compounds known as curcuminoids. It comprises of three different pigments: curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin whose concentration varies from the species to species. A variety of spectrophotometric methods have been used for the quantification of the curcuminoids. However, quantification of the individual curcuminoids is not possible with spectro-photometric methods. Very little information is available on the determination of the individual constituents of curcuminoids using high performance thin layer chromatography. This method has advantages in terms of accuracy, flexibility, parallel analysis of a large number of samples and different modes of development. The present study was undertaken to provide information on the physico-chemical characteristics of individual curcuminoid pigments of five important Curcuma sp. to facilitate their proper extraction, separation and identification of individual phyto-constituents and their further utilization in the crop improvement programme.

Allele mining in Indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) for ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter gene family for aluminum tolerance

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major factor limiting crop potentials in acidic soils. Phenotypic as well as allelic variations in nucleotide sequence within STAR2 gene in different rice cultivars was investigated. On the basis of morphological screening, six rice cultivars, viz., ‘Subhadra’, ‘Sankar’, ‘Rudra’, ‘Udaygiri’, ‘Lalitagiri’ and ‘Ghanteshwari’ showed tolerance to aluminum and other four cultivars were susceptible to Al. Both STAR1 (for sensitive to Al rhizotoxicity1) and STAR2 genes were identified in Indica rice demonstrating the Al toxicity/tolerance. The present study indicate that STAR2 encodes a transmembrane domain of a bacterial-type ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter methyltransferaseI (metI) like protein, sulfate/molybdate abc transporter/permease (transport protein), maltose transport system permease protein malf (hydrolase/transport protein) present in 13-α-helices and 14-coils, which signifies the role in Al tolerance. Based on phenotypic and genotypic observations, the cultivars like ‘Lalat’ and ‘Jyotirmayee’ were found susceptible to aluminum. In summary, both Oryzasativa, indica group and Oryzasativa, japonica group were genotypically similar and coevolved to confer the tolerance against aluminum stress, which helps in crop improvement programme.

Genetic Improvement of Vegetables Using Transgenic Technology

Abstract Because they have a shorter maturity period, higher productivity, nutritional richness, and economic viability, vegetables provide a valuable source of income to farmers. To feed the growing population from limited land, water, and other natural resources under changing climatic conditions poses a big challenge to agricultural scientists and policymakers. Thus developing varieties having higher productivity, quality, nutritional value, shelf-life, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress is imperative and could be attained using conventional breeding or through transgenic technology. Combining genes from different organisms is known as transgenic technology and allows access to an unlimited gene pool without the constraint of sexual compatibility; the resulting organism is said to be “genetically modified.” During the last two and a half decades, transgenic vegetables have been developed that have higher productivity, quality, and improved resistance against insect pests, pathogens, drought, and salinity by modifying, downregulating/overexpressing genes regulating osmolytes, specific proteins, antioxidants, ion homeostasis, transcription factors, and membrane composition. Despite the rapid development and adoption of genetically modified vegetables in many countries, public controversies about the risks and benefits continue. Various questions on risk factors such as the consequences of gene escape, adverse impact on biodiversity, natural enemies, pollinators, soil organisms, decomposers, and various nontarget organisms have been raised. On the other hand, various supporters have favored transgenic vegetables praising their benefits, e.g., reduced environmental impact from pesticides and insecticides, increased yield, soil conservation, phytoremediation, etc. This chapter highlights the overview of transgenic research in vegetable crops.

Assessment of seventy-three rice germplasm by using simple sequence repeats markers

Genetic information of germplasm is the initial requirement for crop breeding programs. Rice is one of the oldest domesticated crop species endowed with rich genetic diversity which accounts for over 100,000 landraces and improved cultivars. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genetic assessment of rice germplasm originating from India, the Philippines, China, and Malaysia through simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. About 64 alleles were produced over 24 SSR primer amplifications over the whole genome of rice. The number of alleles ranged from 1 to 4 with an average of 2.67. Out of 64 amplified bands, 58 bands were polymorphic and 6 were monomorphic bands. Most of the primers showed high polymorphic information content (PIC). The PIC value ranged from 0.53 to 0.87. The cluster analysis indicates that the 73 varieties originating from India, the Philippines, China, and Malaysia were grouped separately and made two major clusters (seven groups). Among the two major clusters, one cluster had 18 genotypes which originated from the Phillipines, and China with 29% similarity with other varieties originating from India and Malaysia. Further, it was divided into two subgroups which had eight genotypes and the other had 10 genotypes with 41% similarity among themselves. All 10 genotypes were international varieties suitable for cultivation in medium land ecosystems. The second major cluster had 55 varieties including commercial rice varieties originating from India and Malaysia. The genotype ‘Swarna’ and ‘Manaswini’ had 76% similarity with each other and 69% similarity with the ‘Bhanja’ & ‘Ghanteswari’ which might be the genome association. The second major cluster had 55 genotypes divided into two minor groups. The first group had one genotype, i.e. ‘IR 63141-B-18-B’ with 34% similarity with the other 54 genotypes. The second minor group (54 genotypes) again was divided into two groups; one group had five genotypes with 51% similarity. Another group had 49 genotypes divided into two sub-minor groups. Based on this study, the larger range of similarity values using SSR markers provides greater confidence for the assessment of genetic relationships among the varieties. These genotypes are suitable for cultivation in upland ecosystems. The information obtained from the SSR profile helps to identify the variety diagnostic markers in 73 rice germplasm accessions. The intra- and inter-variation might be useful for breeders to improve the rice varieties through selective breeding and cross breeding programs.