Molecular Characterization of Some Apple Accessions Using DNA Markers Associated with Fruit Skin and Flesh Colour

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is one of the most widely grown and economically important fruit crops in the world. Skin colour is one of the most important criteria for marketing of apple fruits. Thus, improving fruit colouring is one of the main objectives of apple breeding programs. Even though environmental conditions may affect the colouring of apple, understanding the genetic basis of colouring is important to accelerate the breeding process. In recent years, molecular biology and genetic studies were conducted to explore the molecular basis of colouring in apple. Many genes responsible for the anthocyanin synthesis were identified and their associations with colouring of apple fruit flesh and/or skin were demonstrated. In addition, some DNA markers associated with fruit flesh and skin colour have been developed for screening apple cultivars and hybrids. In this study, 90 apple accessions of international, national, and local decents were selected from the genetic resources collection. Genomic DNA was isolated from leaf tissue of all acession and screened with four different DNA markers associated with fruit flesh and skin colour. Apple accessions in the collection were characterized and their genotypes and genetic potential for fruit colouration were determined by different DNA markers. Additionally, the use of these DNA markers in different apple accessions, well-characterized cultivars and uncharacterized local and national types were investigated.

     

Identification of drought-induced genes from the leaves of Rangpur lime (Citrus limon (L) Osbeck)

Water stress is one of the limiting factors for citrus production and Citrus species show great variation in their response to drought stress. Although the majority of Citrus rootstocks are sensitive to water stress, Rangpur lime (Citrus limon (L) Osbeck) (RL) shows a high degree of drought tolerance. Therefore, it has been used as a rootstock in drought-prone environments, but mechanisms of drought tolerance are not yet known. In this study, to explore the mechanisms of drought adaptation and tolerance, a subtractive cDNA library was constructed from the leaves of 14-day drought-stressed and non-stressed RL for identification of drought-induced genes. 285 cDNA sequences were obtained from randomly selected clones from the subtracted library containing the drought-induced genes. The expression analyses of 200 cDNAs in 14-day drought treated and untreated RL by macroarray hybridisation revealed that the expression of 56 cDNAs increased two to 11-fold. 30 non-redundant drought-induced genes were identified from these cDNAs and drought induction of eight selected genes was confirmed by a real-time RT-PCR assay suggesting that expressions of these genes were regulated by drought-stress. Genes identified in this study were mostly related with cell rescue and defense pathways involved in drought adaptation and tolerance of RL.     

Does the length of time dried distillers' grain with solubles substitution for soybean meal affect physiological indicators and meat quality in finishing lambs?

This study examined how inclusion of dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) in finishing lamb diets for different periods affects some physiological indicators and meat quality. A total of 40 male lambs were divided into four groups according to feeding regimen during the 120-day finishing period as follows: C120: no DDGS included in diet for 120 days; D120: DDGS included in diet for 120 days; D75: no DDGS included in diet for 45 days + DDGS included in diet for 75 days; D45: no DDGS included in diet for 75 days + DDGS included in diet for 45 days. Dietary inclusion rate of DDGS was 27.5%. Fattening performance and rumen parameters were not affected by treatment. Feeding regimens had no significant effect on meat quality except the instrumental tenderness and juiciness score. DDGS fed lambs had higher level of total trans fatty acids and n-6/n-3 ratio in meat. 10t-C18:1, 11t-C18:1 and 9c,11t conjugated linoleic acid contents of adipose tissue were higher in all the DDGS groups compared with C120 lambs (p < .001). These results suggest that soybean meal can be replaced with corn DDGS in lamb diets for up to 120 days during the finishing period with no adverse effects on some physiological response feedlot performance and meat quality.     

Use of ISSR,SRAP, and RAPD markers to assess genetic diversity in Turkish melons

The genetic relationships among 63 melon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes collected from various regions of Turkey were determined by comparing their molecular ISSR, SRAP, and RAPD markers with those of 19 foreign melon genotypes to investigate the taxonomic relationships and genetic variation of Turkish melon germplasm. Total 162 polymorphic markers (69, 18, and 75 obtained from ISSR, SRAP, and RAPD primers, respectively) were used to define the genetic similarity among the melon genotypes by dendrogram or two and three dimensional scalings. The average similarity (SM coefficient) between any two pairs of accessions examined as estimated by molecular variation was 0.73 ± 0.48. Within-group genetic similarities ranged between 0.46 and 0.96. Related genotypes or genotypes collected from similar regions were partitioned to similar clusters. Southeastern Anatolian genotypes were distinctly apart from group inodorus and group cantalupensis (sweet) genotypes. This reinforced the position of Turkey in the secondary genetic diversity center of melon. The genetic diversity among Turkish genotypes (H = 0.28 and I = 0.42) was only a little less than that of the world accessions (H = 0.30 and I = 0.45). On the other hand, the percentage of polymorphic loci among Turkish melon genotypes (90.7%) was even higher than that of the world accessions (87.6%).     

Gliadin and zein show similar and improved rheological behavior when mixed with high molecular weight glutenin

Small amplitude and lubricated squeezing flow tests were performed to investigate the effect of high molecular weight glutenin (HMWG) on the rheological properties of gliadin and zein dough composites. It was hypothesized that addition of small amounts of HMWG to zein cause changes in its viscoelastic properties in the same way as its addition to gliadin. Starch (87%, w/w) and protein/protein composites (13%, w/w), and water were mixed into dough. The water content of prepared dough was in the 41.7–45.3% range. Composites were gliadin-HMWG and zein-HMWG. Phase angle and complex modulus (G*) were obtained from frequency sweep tests at 0.5% strain amplitude over a 0.01–100 rad/s frequencies. Lubricated squeezing flow test were carried out at a range of strain rates to determine the sample extensional viscosities.     

First report of dry rot of potato caused by Fusarium sambucinum in Kyrgyzstan

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In October 2020, the presence of an intense Fusarium dry rot disease was detected during a survey of potato tubers in the production storage facilities in...     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Use of Carbon Microspheres for Removal of Different Dyes from Aqueous Environments

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Sustainable groundwater quality has become a major concern for the agro-based country like Bangladesh. Integrated approaches of various irrigation water quality...