AFLP Fingerprinting in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) and its Wild Relatives

Detection of DNA polymorphism in cultivated pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and two of its wild relatives Cajanus volubilis and Rhynchosia bracteata is reported here for the first time using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting. For this purpose, two EcoRI (three selective nucleotides) and 14 MseI (three selective nucleotides) primers were used. The two wild species shared only 7.15% bands with the pigeonpea cultivars, whereas 86.71% common bands were seen among cultivars. Similarly, 62.08% bands were polymorphic between C. volubilis and pigeonpea cultivars in comparison to 63.33% polymorphic bands between R. bracteata and pigeonpea cultivars, and 13.28% polymorphic bands among pigeonpea cultivars. The cluster analysis revealed low polymorphism among pigeonpea cultivars and very high polymorphism between cultivated pigeonpea and its wild relatives. The AFLP analysis also indicated that only one primer combination (EcoRI + ACT and MseI + CTG), at the most any four primer pair combinations, are sufficient for obtaining reliable estimation of genetic diversity in closely related cultivars like pigeonpea material analyzed herein. AFLP analysis may prove to be a useful tool for molecular characterization of pigeonpea cultivars and its wild relatives and for possible use in genome mapping.     

Application of random amplified polymorphic DNA to study genetic diversity in Paspalum scrobiculatum L. (Kodo millet, Poaceae)

Summary Genetic diversity and patterns of geographic variation among collections of Paspalum scrobiculatum (kodo millet) and P. polystachyum were studied using molecular markers generated through the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. A high level of polymorphism in RAPD markers was observed among the individual accessions, demonstrating the high genetic diversity of the crop. The markers obtained from the RAPD method were analyzed with the cluster analysis, principal coordinates and minimum spanning tree methods. Three major groups were resolved, one representing the African accessions, and two for the Indian accessions. The accessions of the north African kodo millet and P. polystachyum (considered conspecific with P. scrobiculatum) were quite distinct. The Australian kodo millet showed higher affinity to the African types. The study demonstrated that the RAPD technique can be applied to resolving degrees and patterns of genetic variation at the population and species levels, identifying cultivars, and defining gene pools of this crop.     

Comparative salinity tolerance of symbiotically dependent and nitrogen-fed pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and its wild relative Atylosia platycarpa

Summary Once symbiosis between the pigeonpea cultivar ICPL 227 and the Rhizobium sp. strain IC 3024 is established, it is efficient in fixing N₂ under saline conditions and can support growth comparable to N-fed plants in growth media with up to 6 dS m^-1 salinity. However, the early stages of establishment of the pigeonpea-IC 3024 symbiotic system have proved sensitive to salinity. The present study showed that the number of nodules was markedly reduced at 8 dS m^-1 salinity; however, nodule development and functioning were not affected by salinity in the pigeonpea-IC 3024 symbiosis. The symbiotic system of Atylosia platycarpa and Rhizobium sp. strain IC 3087 was established successfully even at 12 dS m^-1 and supported growth comparable to that of N-fed plants. P levels in leaves were increased under saline conditions in N-fed and N₂-fixing pigeonpea and A. platycarpa. There were no consistent differences in the leaf Na and chloride levels between N-fed and N₂-fixing plants of pigeonpea and A. platycarpa. The present study suggests that the rhizobial symbiosis may not be a necessary factor for initial screening of pigeonpea and related wild species for salinity tolerance.Submitted as JA No. 964 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)     

Impact of nodule damage by Rivellia angulata on N2-fixation,growth, and yield of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) grown in a Vertisol

Summary Damage caused by Rivellia angulata larvae to pigeonpea root nodules at the ICRISAT center in India was greater in the crop grown on Vertisols (up to 86%) compared to that on Alfisols (20%). Attempts to quantify the field effects of nodule damage on growth and yield of pigeonpea in a Vertisol, involving many heavy applications of soil insecticides (aldrin and hexachlorocyclohexane) failed because the insecticides did not control the pest and adversely affected the growth of the pigeonpea and the subsequent crop of sorghum (Sorgorum bicolor L. Moench). The impact of nodule damage on pigeonpea growth, yield and nutrient uptake was successfully studied in greenhouse-grown plants at three N levels. In this pot study, artificial inoculation with Rivellia sp. led to substantial nodule damage (70%). The results of this damage were a significant overall reduction in nodule dry weight (46%), acetylene reduction activity (31%), total leaf area (36%), chlorophyll content of leaves (39%) and shoot dry weight (23%) 68 days after sowing. At maturity, Rivellia sp. infestation caused significant reductions in top dry weight (22%), root and nodule dry weight (27%), seed dry weight (14%), and total N (29%) and P uptake (19%). The problems and prospects of manipulating nodule damage so as to reduce N losses in pigeonpea are discussed.Submitted as JA No. 756 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)     

Spatial and temporal dynamics in genetic diversity in upland rice and late millet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pennisetum glaucum</Emphasis> (L.) R. Br.) in The Gambia

Ambiguity exists about the level of genetic diversity represented by farmer crop varieties, how it develops over time and how it relates to the diversity comprised by formal varieties. As part of an interdisciplinary technological/sociological study on farmer management of gene flow, upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and late millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) from The Gambia were investigated for morphological and molecular variation. The goal of these analyses was to obtain insight into the level of crop genetic diversity of farmer’s materials planted in several case study villages in The Gambia. For both crops, samples were collected from villages and various research institutes. Based on variety names, different rice and millet varieties were expected to be used in different villages. In fact, there was a large overlap in genetic diversity for both crops, masked by the use of synonyms. The considerable similarity in rice genetic diversity between villages most likely results from the exchange of varieties between farmers. For millet this seems the result of development of varieties from the same gene pool. Some farmer varieties of rice, however, are apparent hybrid forms between the species O. sativa and O. glaberrima Steud., and farmer varieties in general displayed higher levels of genetic diversity than formal varieties. This indicates that, for rice, genetic diversity develops in farmers’ fields and may have potential use in formal breeding programs.     

Natural hybrids between cultivated and wild sunflowers (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus</Emphasis> spp.) in Argentina

Two introduced wild species Helianthus annuus L. and H. petiolaris Nutt. have become widespread in central Argentina and overlap the sunflower crop region. Intermediate off-type plants between the wild and cultivated species are often found, which is of concern because of the recent release of imidazolinone resistant varieties and the likely use of genetically modified sunflower cultivars. The progeny of 33 off-type plants obtained from 14 representative sites of the diffusion area were studied to confirm hybrid origin. Germination, survival, morphological traits and days to flowering confirmed hybridization between crop and both wild species, when compared to eight accessions of typical wild plants. Some progenies were presumably crop–wild H. annuus hybrids, some originated from the cross of cultivated plants and H. petiolaris, and two were the advanced generation of a cultivated hybrid. Hence, morphological traits are a good clue for the identification of spontaneous hybrid plants at field. The results indicate that crop–wild hybridization and introgression occur at various places in central Argentina. This fact may represent a way to herbicide resistance escape and future transgene escape if GM sunflower cultivars are released for commercial use.     

Variation in resistance to the cabbage aphid ( Brevicoryne brassicae) between and within wild and cultivated Brassica species

Seven Brassica species were evaluated for their resistance to the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae, in a series of field experiments. Four wild Brassica species, two 8 chromosome species with similarities to the B genome of Brassica nigra (Brassica fruticulosa and Brassica spinescens) and two 9 chromosome species containing the C genome (Brassica incana and Brassica villosa) were identified as possessing consistently high levels of antibiosis mediated resistance to B. brassicae. None of the species were shown to possess consistently high levels of antixenosis resistance. In more detailed glasshouse experiments one B-like genome species, B. fruticulosa, showed considerable variation between accessions collected from different sites for resistance to B. brassicae. In addition, individual accessions of one A genome species (Brassica rapa) and one C genome species (Brassica alboglabra) were shown to be highly variable in their resistance to B. brassicae, some plants of each accession being highly resistant and others very susceptible. The implications of the variability in resistance to B. brassicae within wild Brassica species for exploitation in Brassica breeding programmes are discussed.     

Development of new sources of tetraploid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arachis</Emphasis> to broaden the genetic base of cultivated groundnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arachis hypogaea</Emphasis> L.)

Groundnut, an important crop of many countries of the world, is susceptible to a range of diseases and pests. High levels of resistances are not available in the cultivated gene pool as the crop is said to have a narrow genetic base. Narrow genetic base is attributed to the evolution of the crop which took place by the combination of A and B genome species, and later doubling their chromosome number, giving rise to tetraploid cultivated groundnut. Direct utilization of cross-compatible wild relatives, which are diploids, to broaden the genetic base and introduction of useful traits, is not a straight-forward process due to ploidy differences between the cultivated species and wild relatives. Hence amphiploids and autotetraploids were created by not only combining the putative genomes, but many other A and B genome species, thus producing a highly variable population of tetraploid groundnuts also called new sources of Arachis hypogaea. This study describes the development and characterization of newly generated tetraploid groundnuts and the level of molecular diversity as assessed by DArT markers.     

Wild crop relative populations hot-spots of diversity are hot-spots of introgression in the case of pearl millet

Wild crop relatives are unique genetic resources for crop adaptation. Increasing pressure from agriculture threatens these populations both by reducing their habitats and by creating opportunities for wild-cultivated hybridization. In this study, we assessed the diversity of 38 wild pearl millet populations covering the whole known distribution of the species in Africa, which extends from Senegal to Sudan. Using genetic analyses of 10 cultivated varieties as control, we demonstrate the high diversity harbored by these wild populations. Diversity patterns suggest a diversity hot-spot in the southern part of the wild population’s range. However, this high wild genetic diversity could partly be explained by introgression from cultivated varieties. Such introgression is widespread in the Sahel. We validate the impact of cultivated introgression on the diversity of the wild population using a genetic introgression model. The introgression distorts the real assessment of the diversity of the wild population, and the burden of this gene flow compromises the long term survival of the wild populations’ original genome. Our study also questions the long term survival of the crop’s wild relatives.     

Effect of long-term cropping systems on soil organic carbon pools and soil quality in western plain of hot arid India

Maintaining soil organic carbon (SOC) in arid ecosystem is important for soil productivity and restoration of deserted sandy soil in western plain of India. There is a need to understand how the cropping systems changes may alter SOC pools including total organic carbon (TOC), particulate organic C (POC), water soluble carbon (WSC), very labile C (VLC), labile C (LC), less labile C (LLC) and non-labile C (NLC) in arid climate. We selected seven major agricultural systems for this study viz., barren, fallow, barley–fallow, mustard–moth bean, chickpea–groundnut, wheat–green gram and wheat–pearl millet. Result revealed that conversion of sandy barren lands to agricultural systems significantly increased available nutrients and SOC pools. Among all studied cropping systems, the highest values of TOC (6.12 g kg^?1), POC (1.53 g kg^?1) and WSC (0.19 g kg^?1) were maintained in pearl millet–wheat system, while the lowest values of carbon pools observed in fallow and barren land. Strong relationships (P < 0.05) were exhibited between VLC and LC with available nutrients. The highest carbon management index (299) indicates that wheat–pearl millet system has greater soil quality for enhancing crop productivity, nutrient availability and carbon sequestration of arid soil.     

Diversity in pearl millet germplasm from Cameroon

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L). R. Br.] (syn. P. americanum (L.) Leeke) germplasm from Cameroon was collected jointly by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the National Cereals Research and Extension Project (NCRE)/Institute of Agronomic Research (IAR), Maroua, Cameroon. Of the 1261 samples collected, 888 are pearl millet and 12 wild relatives of Pennisetums. A total of 918 accessions of pearl millet were evaluated during rainy and postrainy seasons at ICRISAT Asia Center (IAC), Patancheru, India, and 748 at Maroua, Cameroon. Considerable variation was observed for all the characters studies. At IAC, Patancheru, time to flower varied from 56 to 146 days with a mean of 114±0.62 days during the rainy and 46 to 128 days with a mean of 67±0.28 days during the postrainy season. At Maroua, the flowering time ranged from 49 to 112 days with a mean of 81±0.34 days. Plant height ranged from 230 to 450 cm with a mean of 353±1.52 cm. Spike and grain characters were more stable compared to flowering and plant height. The expression of spike characters was comparable to evaluation in postrainy season at IAC, Patancheru. In Cameroon, farmers classify pearl millet as Yadiri and Mouri, which vary for plant canopy, spike and grain characters. Mouri matures in about 95–110 days, extensively grown in the low rainfall areas of Extreme North province. Yadiri matures in 120–140 days, generally grown in the high rainfall areas of the North, Adamaoua provinces, and on the hill slopes of Extreme North province. Millet germplasm from Cameroon is a good source for more number of productive tillers, large compact spikes, and larger ivory and cream colored grain besides its potential for forage.Submitted as ICRISAT Journal Article No. 1803.     

Variation in a wild groundnut species, Arachis duranensis Krapov. & W.C. Gregory

Forty-two accessions of Arachis duranensis, a wild groundnut species that has been reported as a source of resistance to several groundnut diseases, were studied for 30 quantitative traits including total protein content, oil content, and reaction to groundnut rust. Protein profiles were also investigated for variation at the molecular level. Principal component analysis was applied to 28 traits that showed significant variation. Of these, only five characters, namely, height of the main stem, length of apical leaflet on the main stem, length of isthmus between pods, width of seed, and reaction to groundnut rust, accounted for more than 61.4% of the total variation. Protein profiles of these accessions were broadly similar, except some accessions which differed in few bands. The importance of these variations in strategies for germplasm collection and breeding is discussed.Submitted as Journal Article No. 1507 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru P.O. 502 324 A.P. India.     

Early Development and Nutrition of Cover Crop Species as Affected by Soil Compaction

Abstract

A good cover crop should have a vigorous early development and a high potential for nutrient uptake that can be made available to the next crop. In tropical areas with relatively dry winters drought tolerance is also very important. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the early development and nutrition of six species used as cover crops as affected by sub‐superficial compaction of the soil. The plants (oats, pigeon pea, pearl millet, black mucuna, grain sorghum, and blue lupin) were grown in pots filled with soil subjected to different subsurface compaction levels (bulk densities of 1.12, 1.16, and 1.60 mg m^?3) for 39 days. The pots had an internal diameter of 10 cm and were 33.5 cm deep. Grasses were more sensitive to soil compaction than leguminous plants during the initial development. Irrespective of compaction rates, pearl millet and grain sorghum were more efficient in recycling nutrients. These two species proved to be more appropriate as cover crops in tropical regions with dry winters, especially if planted shortly before spring.     

Association of Azospirillum brasilense with pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke)

Summary Microscopic observations of the root system of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) var. BJ 104 after surface sterilization and incubation in phosphate malate triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) revealed extensive colonization by Azospirillum spp. when plants were grown in sterile, partially sterile and field conditions as evidenced by the TTC-reducing property of active cells of the bacterium. Quantitative studies showed the need to standardize the techniques further to ensure more precise monitoring of the bacteria in the rhizosphere, as large numbers of soil bacteria were found capable of growth on specific media, thus interfering with the plate counts. Seed inoculation with A. brasilense increased the mean grain yield of pearl millet under different agroclimatic conditions in India. The mean increase in grain yield due to inoculation over uninoculated controls was also noticed with graded levels of fertilizer nitrogen (urea). Inoculation alone contributed to increased nitrogen uptake of plants with varying levels of fertilizer nitrogen application under sandy loam soil conditions (pH 7.3). The effects of inoculation were more prominent under lower levels of nitrogen than at the higher levels. The root biomass under field conditions was increased with Azospirillum spp. inoculation at 10 and 20 kg N/ha than their corresponding uninoculated controls.     

The genus Amygdalus L. (Rosaceae): Species relationships, distribution and evolution under domestication

Summary The paper reviews the taxonomic relationships, morphological distinction, geographical distribution and ecological specificities of the twenty six species recognized (by us) in Amygdalus L. It also surveys the intra-genetic structure in this genus stressing the fact that they fall into five groups of closely related vicarious species: (i) Communis group (9 species), (ii) Orientalis group (6 species), (iii) Sect. Chamaeamygdalus (4 species), (iv) Sect. Spartioides (2 species), and (v) Subgenus Dodecandara (5 species). Within each group, species are separated from one another geographically (in few cases by altitude). The only major exception to such allopatric distribution is found in A. communis L., and this is interpreted as an outcome of domestication. Interspecific sterility barriers are absent, or only weakly developed in Amygdalus, and numerous inter-specific hybrids (particularly between the crop and various wild almond species) have been detected. Therefore most (may be all) wild almond species constitute the primary gene-pool of the cultivated nut crop.The combined botanical and archaeological evidene points to the Levant countries as the place where the almond was taken into cultivation. Wild forms of A. communis are very likely native only to this area. Also the earliest archaeological signs of almond domestication come from this area.     

Integrated Plant Genetic and Balanced Nutrient Management Enhances Crop and Water Productivity of Rainfed Production Systems in Rajasthan,India

Analysis of soils from 421 farmers’ fields in eastern districts of Rajasthan, India, revealed widespread deficiencies of sulfur (S; 43 to 87% fields deficient), boron (B; 25 to 100%), and zinc (Zn; 0 to 94%) in addition to phosphorus (P; 10 to 73%) and soil organic carbon (1 to 84%). An integrated approach of application of deficient S, B, and Zn along with N and P to high-yielding crop cultivars increased yield over farmers’ practice of N and P application to local cultivars by 92 to 204% in maize, 115 to 167% in pearl millet, and 150% in groundnut. Benefit-to-cost ratio of the integrated strategy varied from 3.33 to 8.03 in maize, 2.92 to 3.40 in pearl millet, and 1.15 in groundnut. The integrated approach effectively utilized scarce water in food production and increased rainwater-use efficiency at 67 to 145 kg mm^?1 ha^?1 from 21 to 50 kg mm^?1 ha^?1 under farmers’ practice.     

Development of EST-SSR in foxtail millet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Setaria italica</Emphasis>)

The development of EST-SSR in foxtail millet (Setaria italica) for polymorphism and transferability study was reported here. From 1213 EST sequences, 30 SSRs were obtained and primers were designed for 26 SSRs. Among them, four pairs of SSR primers amplified polymorphic products in 12 foxtail millet cultivars and one accession of Setaria viridis, a wild relative of foxtail millet, with 10 alleles detected for the four loci and 2.5 alleles per locus. In addition, ten SSR markers could be transferred to other nine Gramineae species. The putative functions of 11 ESTs containing polymorphic and transferable SSRs were also identified.     

Genetic Diversity within and Between Populations of Lathyrus genus (Fabaceae) Revealed by ISSR Markers

In order to evaluate the genetic diversity in Lathyrus genus, the Inter Simple Sequence Repeats method (ISSR) was exploited in five populations. These consisted of two cultivated species belonging to section Lathyrus (L. sativus L. and L. cicera L.) and a wild one belonging to the section Clymenum (L. ochrus DC.). Two 3′anchored ISSR primers and two unanchored ones, generated a total of 60 useful polymorphic DNA bands. Our data provide evidence of high molecular polymorphism at the intra- and the inter-specific levels showing that both wild and cultivated forms constitute an important pool of diversity. Moreover, among the generated DNA bands, a 500 bp band, totally absent in the banding patterns of the section Clymenum, appears to be a molecular marker of section Lathyrus. Results provided for lineage and suggest recent origin of these species that might have evolved from a common ancestor producing both L. ochrus species and the two other species L. sativus and L. cicera. These relationships support previous studies based on morphological variation and molecular analysis.     

Realizing value of genetic resources of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium</Emphasis> in India

The genetic resources of Allium in India are potential source of genes for widening the crop genetic base. Despite their high economic value, limited number of germplasm accessions of wild species have been collected and conserved mainly due to difficult access to areas of occurrence. The present work mainly highlights information on species diversity distribution and utilization of wild Allium species to assess the value of Indian germplasm and prioritization for future collection and conservation programmes.