High frequency plant-regeneration through direct shoot development and somatic embryogenesis from immature inflorescence cultures of finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn)

Summary Plant regeneration from cultured immature inflorescence segments of Eleusine coracana was obtained by direct shoot development and somatic embryogenesis. Direct development of shoots from cultured inflorescence segments occurred on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D in combination with zeatin. Inflorescences with well developed spikelets differentiated at a low frequency (<5%) from callus cultures initiated on media supplemented with 2,4-D in combination with zeatin or coconut water or picloram + kinetin. Somatic embryogenesis was also induced in callus cultures growing on MS + picloram + kinetin at the end of four passages. Supplementation of the media with different concentrations of sucrose showed 3% sucrose as the best concentration for plant differentiation from somatic embryos. The majority of the regenerated plants showed the diploid chromosome constitution in their root tips. The regenerants were in general shorter with an increased number of tillers compared to the control.Abbreviations CW Coconut water - 2,4-D 2,4-dichloro phenoxyacetic acid - Kn Kinetin - Z Zeatin     

Subpopulations of equine blood lymphocytes expressing regulatory T cell markers

Several distinct T lymphocyte subpopulations with immunoregulatory activity have been described in a number of mammalian species. This study performed a phenotypic analysis of cells expressing regulatory T cell (Treg) markers in the peripheral blood of a cohort of 18 horses aged 6 months to 23 years, using antibodies to both intracellular and cell surface markers, including Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), CD4, CD8, CD25, interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10). In peripheral blood, a mean of 2.2 ± 0.2% CD4+ and 0.5 ± 0.1% CD8+ lymphocytes expressed FOXP3. The mean percentage of CD4+FOXP3+ cells was found to be significantly decreased in horses 15 years and older (1.5%) as compared to horses 6 years and younger (2.7%), but did not differ between females and males and ponies and horses. Activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by pokeweed mitogen resulted in induction of CD25 and FOXP3 expression by CD4+ cells, with peak expression noted after 48 and 72 h in culture respectively. Activated CD4+FOXP3+ cells expressed IFNγ (35% of FOXP3+ cells) or IL-10 (9% FOXP3+ cells). Cell sorting was performed to determine FOXP3 expression by CD4(+)CD25(-), CD4(+)CD25(dim) and CD4(+)CD25(high) subpopulations. Immediately following sorting, the percentage of CD4+FOXP3+ cells was higher within the CD4(+)CD25(high) population (22.7-26.3%) compared with the CD4(+)CD25(dim) (17% cells) but was similar within the CD4(+)CD25(dim) and CD4(+)CD25(high) cells after resting in IL-2 (9-14%). Fewer than 2% of cells in the CD4(+)CD25(-) population expressed FOXP3. These results demonstrate heterogeneity in equine lymphocyte subsets that express molecules associated with regulatory T cells. CD4+FOXP3+ cells are likely to represent natural Tregs, with CD4+FOXP3+IL-10+ cells representing either activated natural Tregs or inducible Tregs, and CD4+FOXP3+IFNγ+ cells likely to represent activated Th1 cells.     

Correlation of metabolites in the leaf and berries of selected black pepper varieties

The biochemical component which attribute pungency to black pepper (Piper nigrum) is mainly the alkaloid piperine, the aroma and flavour are attributed by components like α- and β-pinenes, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, β-caryophyllene, camphene, etc. Our study revealed that the biochemical profile varies in the leaf and berries of black pepper. Total phenols, total starch, total carbohydrate and protein content from leaves and berries of selected 26 black pepper cultivars were evaluated. The concentration of oil, oleoresin, piperine and the essential oil constituents from both leaves and berries were also compared in these cultivars. Germacrene-D and elemol were found to be the major constituents of leaf oil. β-Caryophyllene was high in berries and it showed more variability in berries compared to leaf samples. Berry oil constituents namely, pinene, sabinene, myrcene and limonene were not detected in the leaf oil. Different leaf metabolites showed cumulative direct effect on berry constituents.     

Hybrid performance for yield and yield components in cardamom (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Elettaria cardamom</Emphasis> Maton)

Cardamom is an important high value spice crop. Hybrid breeding is discussed for some time, but there is no information for cardamom. Eight genetically diverse cardamom lines were crossed in a diallel to evaluate the performance of hybrids and determine heterosis over mid-parent, better-parent and standard control for yield and yield components. The study was undertaken for a period of 3 years from 1988 to 2001 (Experiment I). Hybrids generally showed good overall performance for most of the characteristics compared with parents. Ten of the 56 hybrids significantly out-yielded the standard control (RR 1). Substantial mid-parent (MPH), better-parent (BPH) and standard (SH) heterosis were observed for the majority of the characteristics studied. Further evaluation of selected hybrids for yield and disease resistance during 2002–2007 (Experiment II) led to the identification of two cross combinations (CCS 1 × NKE 19 and RR 1 × NKE 12) with high yield and mosaic resistance. The study revealed that cardamom hybrids with high yield potential, desirable quality characteristics and mosaic resistance can be developed from appropriate parents through heterosis breeding. This is the first report of heterosis in cardamom for yield and yield contributing characteristics.