Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and its wild relatives based on seed protein profiles

Total seed storage protein of 9 accessions of cultivated C. cajan and 10 wild Cajanus species was reported and compared by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A considerable variation was detected among the protein profiles of different accessions of C. cajan while those of wild species were very specific and distinctly different from each other. Relative similarities between various taxa were estimated by Jaccard's similarity index and cluster analysis was performed to produce a UPGMA dendrogram. The clustering of 10 wild species and C. cajan more or less agrees with their sectional classification and available data based on morphological characteristics, crossability, genome pairing in hybrids and nuclear RFLPs. The species closest to C. cajan is C. cajanifolia although the accessions of C. cajan also share some bands present in the profiles of C. scarabaeoides, C. goensis, C. lineatus, C. acutifolius and C. volubilis. This points towards polyphyletic origin of the cultigen which has been discussed in this paper.     

Survival and competitiveness of Bradyrhizobium sp. in the rhizosphere of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Summary The survival of Bradyrhizobium Cajanus strain CC1021 in the soil and rhizosphere of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] was determined by most probable number and fluorescent antibody techniques. The survival of strain CC1021 was poor under field compared with pot-culture conditions. Although the rhizosphere of pigeonpea promoted the growth of native pigeonpea rhizobia, although no increase in the number of rhizobia was observed with the inoculant strain. Under similar conditions of rhizosphere colonization the competitiveness of strain CC1021 with cv UPAS 120 and ICPL 312 was 10% and 66016 during the first year and 8.4% and 33.3%, respectively, during the second year.     

Variation of morpho-physiological traits in geographically diverse pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] germplasm under different phosphorus conditions

Genotypic variation for morpho-physiological parameters, phosphorus (P) content and root acid phosphatase activity was studied in 52 pigeonpea genotypes. Data related to shoot (length, dry weight, number of leaves, and leaf area), root (volume, length, dry weight, area, perimeter, and number of root tips), acid phosphatase activity, and P content (root, stem, and leaf) were recorded at 60 days after sowing (DAS). The P use efficient genotypes showed high root length, root area, root perimeter, root dry weight, P content in leaves, and root to shoot dry weight ratio under the P not added condition. Significant variation was found among genotypes for root- and shoot-associated characteristics under both P treatments. The P use efficient genotypes with improved root morphological phenes have potential to acquire and utilize more P from immobile soil bound P sources may be of additional factor for increasing efficiency of acquisition and utilization of supplied P fertilizer.     

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.     

Effect of temperature on flavonoid production in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp] in relation to nodulation

To ascertain the reasons for poor nodulation of pigeonpea, we studied the effect of high temperature on the production of flavonoids by the pigeonpea host. A high temperature affected flavonoid production by pigeonpea and mungbean. At 37°C pigeonpea root exudates contained four flavonoids and the root extract contained five. The proportion of the second flavonoid in the pigeonpea and the mungbean was higher and the proportion of the third flavonoid was lower at 37°C compared to 30°C. At the higher temperature the flavonoids exuded from pigeonpea roots were same those in the root homogenate.     

Effect of high temperature on plasmid curing of Rhizobium spp. in relation to nodulation of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

Summary Fifty-six isolates of Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium spp. (Cajanus) were studied for their plasmid profile and N₂-fixation efficacy. One to three plasmids were reproducibly detected in all the Rhizobium spp. strains but no plasmid was detected in the Bradyrhizobium spp. strains. Rhizobium sp. strain P-1 was mutagenized by Tn5 and three nod^– and six nod⁺fix^– were screened for symbiotic parameters. Neomycin-sensitive mutants were isolated by elevated temperatrue (40°C) from tranconjugants carrying Tn5 insertions. The high temperature cured these mutants from the single large plasmid present in the parent strain P-1. All these cured mutants were nod^–, indicating that the genes for nodulation were present on this plasmid, which is readily cured at a high temperature (40°C). The high temperature in the semi-arid zones of Haryana could be responsible for the low nodulation of pigeonpea because the plasmid carrying the nodulation genes is cured at 40°–45°C giving rise to non-nodulating mutants.     

Seedling characteristics and retention of current photosynthates in leaves in relation to initial growth in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) and cowpea (Vigna sinensis Endl.)

Improved varieties of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) still retain some growth characteristics of perennial types of wild species such as slow seedling growth and rato on ability which are considered to be major yield-restricting characteristics when the growth period is shortened. Studies on the physiological background of slow initial growth may help improve the potential productivity of short-duration pigeonpea. It was found that the low seedling vigor of pigeonpea could be ascribed to the small seed size (Narayanan et al. 1981; Brakke and Gardner 1987), low rate of photosynthetic CO₂ fixation (Rawson and Constable 1981), and low rates of metabolic processes (Huber and Hanson 1992; Ito et al. 1996). However, few authors have related the slow growth to the retention of current photosynthates and leaf respiration during the night. In contrast, seedling growth of cowpea (Vigna sinensis Endl.) was reported to be vigorous (Brakke and Gardner 1987).

The objectives of this study were to characterize the initial growth of pigeonpea in comparison with cowpea. Two experiments were carried out, one dealing with growth analysis and the other with O2 uptake of leaf and retention of current photosynthates during the night.     

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)     

Establishment and effectiveness of added pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) rhizobia in different soils of narrow abiotic variability

Summary Pot and laboratory experiments were conducted to study the establishment and effectiveness of a streptomycin-sulphate-resistant (1 mg/ml of medium) pigeonpea rhizobia strain (RM₇) in sterile sand and non-sterile soils. Strain RM₇ increased the drymatter yield of pigeonpea plants (Cajanus cajan) by 106% over control plants under sterile conditions. However, when the rhizobia strain was introduced into 14 different non-sterile soils with a narrow abiotic variability, the comparable beneficial effect was observed only in one soil inoculated with log 6.70 cells/pot. At this inoculum rate, the percentage increase in yield over control plants varied from –1 to 140 in different soils. Rhizobium (RM₇), applied at log 3.70 cells/pot (3 kg soil), showed less than 5% establishment in four soils. However, establishment varied from 8% to 72% at a higher level of inoculation (log 6.70 cells/pot). Displacement of native rhizobia and creation of new sites for nodulation by the introduced rhizobia were also affected by soil properties. The increase in shoot dry-matter yield compared with control plants was positively correlated with the percent establishment of RM₇ (r = 0.60^*) in these soils. Experiments showed that some biotic stresses led to poor survival, proliferation and establishment of the added alien in the soil. Therefore, any culture that is efficient in one soil may not produce similar results under all situations.     

Rhizobium sp. exopolysaccharide production,nodulation, and acetylene reduction activity (N2-fixation) in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Summary There was no correlation between the quantity of exopolysaccharide produced and acetylene reduction activity by Rhizobium spp. or by Bradyrhizobium spp. (Cajanus). The exopolysaccharide-defective mutants of Rhizobium sp. strain P 116 either failed to nodulate or showed a decrease in effectiveness. The deficiency in exopolysaccharide production was corrected by the addition of purified exopolysaccharide from the parent strain, or from Bradyrhizobium sp. strain P 149 or S24 isolated from pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and mungbean (Vigna radiata), respectively. However, the nodules so formed were not fully effective compared to those formed by the parent strain.     

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)     

Synergistic effects of plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria and Rhizobium on nodulation and nitrogen fixation by pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Plant‐growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), in conjuction with efficient Rhizobium, can affect the growth and nitrogen fixation in pigeonpea by inducing the occupancy of introduced Rhizobium in the nodules of the legume. This study assessed the effect of different plant‐growth promoting rhizobacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum , Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus cereus) on pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L) Milsp.) cv. P‐921 inoculated with Rhizobium sp. (AR‐2–2 k). A glasshouse experiment was carried out with a sandy‐loam soil in which the seeds were treated with Rhizobium alone or in combination with several PGPR isolates. It was monitored on the basis of nodulation, N₂ fixation, shoot biomass, total N content in shoot and legume grain yield. The competitive ability of the introduced Rhizobium strain was assessed by calculating nodule occupancy. The PGPR isolates used did not antagonize the introduced Rhizobium strain and the dual inoculation with either Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescens or Bacillus cereus resulted in a significant increase in plant growth, nodulation and enzyme activity over Rhizobium‐inoculated and uninoculated control plants. The nodule occupancy of the introduced Rhizobium strain increased from 50% (with Rhizobium alone) to 85% in the presence of Pseudomonas putida. This study enabled us to select an ideal combination of efficient Rhizobium strain and PGPR for pigeonpea grown in the semiarid tropics.     

Genetic analysis of resistance to Fusarium wilt disease,yield and yield-related traits of pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp.)

ABSTRACT

Understanding the genetic control of Fusarium wilt resistance is crucial in pigeonpea breeding programme. This study aimed to study the gene action controlling Fusarium wilt resistance, yield and yield components and select promising crosses possessing resistance to Fusarium wilt along with important agronomic yield traits. Six lines were crossed with four testers in a line x tester mating design. For Fusarium wilt reaction, F₁’s progenies were evaluated in a sick field having inoculums of Fusarium wilt at one location for two seasons and in a pot as well. The F₁’s and parents were evaluated for yield and yield components at two locations for two seasons using a row-column design with two replications. Results indicated that parents and crosses had highly significantly difference for yield and important agronomic traits. General combining ability (GCA) effects of lines and testers were also significant. Specific combining ability (SCA) was also significant for some crosses. Non-additive gene action was more important than additive gene action except for days to maturity and plant height. Crosses ICEAP 00932?×?TZA 2439 and ICEAP 00932?×?TZA 197 displayed small effects of SCA for Fusarium wilt and large SCA for most of yield traits and should be used for integrated disease management.     

Dinitrogen fixation and growth responses to phosphorus and aluminum application in pigeon. pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Abstract

Responses to aluminum phosphate (Al-P) and superphosphate (Sup-P) application in terms of dry matter production by pigeon pea and soybean were compared under field conditions. The effect of aluminum on growth and symbiotic dinitrogen fixation was examined under hydroponic conditions. In a field experiment, Al-P application significantly increased whole plant dry weight and P amount in pigeon pea, whereas in soybean, Al-P application had no significant effect on the two parameters. The results indicate that P absorption ability from Al-P is higher in pigeon pea compared to soybean. With Al-P application, leaf and whole plant Al concentration in pigeon pea significantly increased unlike in soybean.

Under hydroponic conditions, 50 nig L^?1 Al application increased the plant weight of pigeon pea while it decreased that of soybean. This treatment decreased the total nodule activity of soybean more appreciably than that of pigeon pea. Under the Al treatment conditions, whole plant P amount increased in pigeon pea, whereas it decreased in soybean, and the amount of Al increased more appreciably in pigeon pea, most of which was deposited in roots.

These results suggest that compared to soybean, pigeon pea displays a higher ability to absorb P from P compounds with a low solubility i.e. Al-P and that it is more tolerant to Al toxicity.     

Insight to the genetic diversity of pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. germplasm cultivated in Nigeria based on rbcl gene region

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. are two of the important seed legumes of Africa and are relatively more...     

花岗岩侵蚀区木豆引种试验初报

通过在花岗岩侵蚀区的引种试验表明,改良型木豆适应性强,在本地能较好地生长,具有鲜肥、薪柴产量高,再生能力强,保土效果好等特点,生长快,当年可见效,生态经济利用价值高,在燃料、饲料、保持水土等方面具有广阔的推广前景,是一种优良的水土保持植物。     

Organic-acid-producing,phytate-mineralizing rhizobacteria and their effect on growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)

Phytates represent a significant pool of organic phosphorus (Po) that is largely unavailable to plants. This study deals with phytate-mineralizing (PM), organic-acid-producing (OAP) rhizobacterial isolates, their characterization and their effect on plant growth. Their genetic diversity was assessed by 16S rRNA amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and selected isolates were identified by partial sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. Na-phytate and Po rich poultry farm manure (PFM) used as sources of phosphorus in semi-solid-agar (SSA) medium and soil respectively, for plant inoculation studies, where Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) used as plant. Of thirty-nine rhizobacterial isolates, nineteen were proficient at releasing phosphate (Pi) (up to 85 μg/ml) from sparingly soluble calcium (Ca)-phytate and concomitantly decreasing the pH of minimal medium with 100 mM glucose from 8.0 to below 5. When the medium contained glycerol in place of glucose, Ca-phytate remained undissolved with no significant Pi released and no decline in pH. Genetic diversity of phytate-mineralizing (PM) rhizobacterial isolates suggests that the isolates mainly fall in two populations: acid-producing (AP) population (mainly represented by members of Enterobacteriaceae) and non-AP population. OAP-PM rhizobacterial isolates were identified as Citrobacter, Pantoea, Klebsiella and Enterobacter species. Organic acids (OAs) secreted by PM isolates were detected by HPLC, showed secretion of gluconic and acetic acids. Importance of OAs in Ca-phytate dephosphorylation was demonstrated in vitro using A. ficuum phytase. Gluconate and acetate additions enhanced phytase catalyzed dephosphorylation of Ca-phytate in vitro. Sonicated cell lysates of isolates showed significant Pi release from Ca-phytate compared to whole cells, indicating inaccessibility of Ca-phytate due to poor solubility. Selected isolates showed that they possess cell-associated acid phytase and modulators of phytase activity suggested that the enzymes are histidine acid phosphatase (HAP) type of phytase. OAP-PM isolates PP1 and DHRSS showed significant increase in dry shoot/root ratio and P content of shoot in Na-phytate containing semi-solid agar (SSA) medium, but isolate DHRSS did not increase dry shoot/root ratio in soil experiments containing poultry farm manure as source of P, although it significantly increased shoot P content of plants. The inoculation of isolates enhanced the shoot P content and dry shoot/root ratio, but did not increase the dry weight in SSA medium. It may be concluded that some OAP-PM rhizobacterial isolates that release P from Ca-phytate show increase in shoot P content in phytate containing SSA medium and in soils.