Pigeonpea improvement: An amalgam of breeding and genomic research

In the past five decades, constant research has been directed towards yield improvement in pigeonpea resulting in the deployment of several commercially acceptable cultivars in India. Though, the genesis of hybrid technology, the biggest breakthrough, enigma of stagnant productivity still remains unsolved. To sort this productivity disparity, genomic research along with conventional breeding was successfully initiated at ICRISAT. It endowed ample genomic resource providing insight in the pigeonpea genome combating production constraints in a precise and speedy manner. The availability of the draft genome sequence with a large‐scale marker resource, oriented the research towards trait mapping for flowering time, determinacy, fertility restoration, yield attributing traits and photo‐insensitivity. Defined core and mini‐core collection, still eased the pigeonpea breeding being accessible for existing genetic diversity and developing stress resistance. Modern genomic tools like next‐generation sequencing, genome‐wide selection helping in the appraisal of selection efficiency is leading towards next‐generation breeding, an awaited milestone in pigeonpea genetic enhancement. This paper emphasizes the ongoing genetic improvement in pigeonpea with an amalgam of conventional breeding as well as genomic research.     

Antimicrobial activity of Securinega leucopyrus

Extracts of the leaves of Securinega leucopyrus exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity.     

A new phorbol diester from Aleurites moluccana

A new phorbol diester, 13-O-myristyl-20-O-acetyl-12-deoxyphorbol (1), has been isolated from the benzene extract of the heartwood of Aleurites moluccana. In addition, hentriacontane, 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin, 5,6,7-trimethoxycoumarin and beta-sitostenone are being reported for the first time from this species.     

Beef quality traits of heifer in comparison with steer,bull and cow at various feeding environments

The present review has been focused largely on the sex type differences in beef quality among heifers, cows, steers and bulls in various feeding environments. Genetic groups, feeding systems and gender are the major factors that change carcass characteristics and fatty acid profiles of cattle. Studies identified that heifer beef has super characteristics in eating quality and a better healthy composition in fatty acids than steer, cow and bull. Diet influences the variation of fatty acid profile; particularly the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) interacts with breed and sex. Animals finished in pasture systems were reported to show better ratios of PUFA/ saturated fatty acids and n‐6/n‐3. Carcasses of roughage‐fed beef are lighter and have less marbling and lower quality grades but have higher cutability than carcasses of grain‐fed bulls. Heifers and cows are reported to deposit more fat than steers and bulls. Among males, lower production of testosterone by steers favors more fat thickness compared with bulls. Marbling greatly varies among cattle belonging to different sexes, and particularly, females have genetic makeup that efficiently controls deposition. The current review identified that heifers can be a premium beef brand, while steer beef currently take a large part of market share across the world.     

Resistance of pearlspot larvae,Etroplus suratensis,to redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus by immersion challenge

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) affects more than 120 species mostly belonging to the order Perciformes. However, none of the brackishwater species belonging to the family Cichlidae under the order Perciformes are reported to be susceptible. Hence, the present experiment was undertaken to study the susceptibility of the brackishwater cichlid, pearlspot, Etroplus suratensis to NNV. Thirty‐day‐old pearlspot larvae were infected with NNV by immersion. Mortality was recorded till 14 days post‐infection, and the infected larvae were subjected to nested RT‐PCR and histology. The virus was isolated from infected larvae using SSN‐1 cells. To study the replication of the virus in vitro, primary cultured brain cells of E. suratensis and IEK cells were infected with NNV. No mortality was observed in any of the control or experimentally infected larvae. However, the experimentally infected larvae were positive for NNV by nested RT‐PCR and the virus was isolated using SSN‐1 cells. Further, the infected pearlspot brain cells and IEK cells showed cytopathic effect at second and third passage of the virus and they were positive for NNV by nested RT‐PCR. Pearlspot is relatively resistant to VNN although the virus could replicate in the larvae and in cell culture.     

Combining ability for rancidity and associated traits in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

Pearl millet occupies an important place in attaining nutritional security in marginal areas; however, as it develops off-flavours, it is less preferred by food industry. The objective of the current study was to determine the variations in rancidity-related traits and estimate the combining ability of inbreds and hybrids for these traits under varied environmental conditions. In this study, 32 hybrids were developed from eight lines and four testers using line × tester mating design and evaluated along with parents and checks 86M86 and HHB 67 for yield and rancidity-associated traits in three environments. The hybrids L7T2 and L6T1 are identified as promising hybrids for grain yield and rancidity. Higher variance due to specific combining ability and predictability ratio for grain yield and rancidity-associated characters indicate the predominance of non-additive gene action. The tester T1 recorded a significant negative GCA effect with low alcoholic acidity. A significant and positive SCA for grain yield was observed in L3T1 and L7T2, whereas for rancidity in L5T4. Alcoholic acidity showed a significant positive association with 1000 seed weight, lipase and lipoxygenase in parents and negative association with 1000 seed weight in hybrids.     

Plant regeneration from encapsulated nodal segments of Sterculia urens roxb., an endangered gum-yielding tree

The present study is an attempt to prepare synthetic seeds using alginate encapsulation of nodal explants of Sterculia urens. Regeneration potential of encapsulated nodal segments was tested on MS basal, MS + BA (3.0 mg L^?1), MS + TDZ (0.2 mg L^?1), and MS + BA (0.5 mg L^?1) + NAA (2.0 mg L^?1). The regeneration potential was maximum (73.33 ± 1.33) on MS + TDZ (0.2 mg L^?1) followed by (69.33 ± 1.76) on MS + BA (3 mg L^?1) even after 6 months of storage at 4°C, whereas controls did not show any regeneration potential after 1 week. These findings suggest synthetic seed technology as an alternative method for micropropagation and germplasm conservation of Sterculia urens an endangered species.