Evaluation of F1 and BC1 hybrids of Lilium lancifolium × Asiatic hybrid ‘Chianti’ by morphological analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization

Lilium lancifolium Thunb. exhibits wide genetic diversity and numerous genetic traits within progeny populations. Parent morphology affects the distribution and assortment of progeny phenotypes. In this study, morphological analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were conducted for cross progeny (F1 and BC1). Results showed that F1-1 hybrids had greater plant height than the parents; however, backcross progeny plant height (group 1) was low. Leaf number in both groups was considerably low in F1 hybrid, although high in backcrossed plants. Flower number and days to flower opening were intermediate to those of the parents for F1 hybrids, yet low in BC1 progeny. In group 1, backcross progeny showed small bulb length; however, group 2 progeny showed large bulb length. Positive and negative correlations between the phenotypic traits of parents and progeny confirmed significant variations. According to FISH results, F1-1 and F1-2 hybrids distinctly exhibited nine and eight 45S rDNA loci which were same in position with 45S loci of the parents. In backcross progeny, eight 45S rDNA signals were detected in four BC1 progeny of group 1, while 10 signals were observed in all group 2 progeny, same with the L. lancifolium karyotype. Morphological analysis and FISH helped in scrutinising progeny to obtain hybrids with desirable characteristics.     

The Relationship Between Growth Vigour of Rootstock and Phenolic Contents in Apple (Malus × domestica)

The aim of the study is to determine the effect of different growth vigorous rootstocks on phenolic compounds in leaves of apple. For this purpose it was used the leaves of cultivar ‘Red Chief’ grafted on dwarf (M9), semi-dwarf (M26) and semi-vigorous (MM106) rootstocks. During mid-July, the leaf samples were taken from the middle part of annual shoots. Phenolics of the leaves were determined by HPLC analysis. While significant differences among the rootstocks for p-hydroxybenzoic acid, eriodictyol, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were detected, these differences were insignificant for gallic acid and quercetin. It was shown that semi-vigorous rootstocks (MM106) had higher phenolic contents in total than the other two dwarf rootstocks. In addition, apigenin-7-glucoside, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, epicatechin, syringic acid, catechin, rutin, resveratrol, hesperidin, naringenin, luteolin, apigenin and acacetin could not to be detected. Data showed that there is the relationship between growth vigour and phenolic contents of apple leaves. Especially, p-hydroxy benzoic acid and p-coumaric acid contents were higher in semi-vigorous rootstock than in dwarf rootstock.     

Alleviation of nickel toxicity and an improvement in zinc bioavailability in sunflower seed with chitosan and biochar application in pH adjusted nickel contaminated soil

This study demonstrates the reduction of nickel (Ni) toxicity and enhancing zinc (Zn) bioavailability from sunflower seed with biochar (BC) and chitosan (CH) application to Ni contaminated soil. The pH of experiment soil was adjusted to value 6.5 prior to its use in a greenhouse experiment. Acidified Ni contaminated soil was amended with Zn (4 mg kg^?1 soil), while BC and CH, both as alone [1% each (w/w)] and in combination [0.5% each (w/w)], were used as immobilizing agents for Ni. Significantly higher concentrations of Zn were found in seed receiving ZnSO₄ treatments. However, these results were more pronounced in the treatment (Zn+CH+BC) where Zn, CH, and BC were together applied. The Zn+CH+BC treatment improved seed quality parameters, phytate/minerals molar ratios, increased seed weight (per pot) up to 75%, Fe 41%, Zn 42% in seed, while reduced Ni concentration up to 17% in seed, over control. Similarly, Zn+CH+BC treatment significantly decreased oxidative stress by improving antioxidant defense system in sunflower. The results of this preliminary study suggest that further studies are obligatory to corroborate the extent of Ni immobilization in soil and enhancing Zn bioavailability from sunflower seed under field conditions with realistic and applicable rates of BC and CH.     

Effect of wastewater irrigation on mineral com‐position of corn and sorghum plants in a pot experiment

Effect of wastewater irrigation was investigated on mineral composition of corn and sorghum plants in a pot experiment. The ranges for the concentration of different minerals in corn plants were 0.67–0.89% calcium (Ca), 0.38–0.58% magnesium (Mg), 0.09–1.29% sodium (Na), 0.81–1.87% nitrogen (N), 1.81–2.27% potassium (K), 0.12–0.16% phosphorus (P), 190–257 mg/kg iron (Fe), 3.5–5.6 mg/kg copper (Cu), 37.1–44.5 mg/kg manganese (Mn), 21.6–33.6 mg/kg zinc (Zn), 1.40–1.84 mg/kg molydbenum (Mo), 11.0–45.7 mg/kg lead (Pb), and 2.5–10.8 mg/kg nickel (Ni). Whereas for sorghum plants, the ranges were: 0.56–0.68% Ca, 0.19–0.32% Mg, 0.02–0.27% Na, 0.69–1.53% N, 1.40–1.89% K, 0.10–0.14% P, 190–320 mg/kg Fe, 3.8–6.0 mg/kg Cu, 29.2–37.6 mg/kg Mn, 21.1–29.9 mg/kg Zn, 2.2–3.7 mg/kg Mo, 12.3–59.0 mg/kg Pb, and 2.5–15.2 mg/kg Ni. Heavy metals such as cobalt (Co) and cadmium (Cd) were below detection limits at mg/kg levels. The concentrations of Ca, N, K, P, Cu, and Mn in corn plants were in the deficient range except for Mg, Fe, Zn, and Al. The concentrations of Ca, N, P, K, Cu, Mn, Mg, and Zn in sorghum plants were in the deficient range except for Fe and aluminum (Al). The analysis of regression indicated a strong interaction between Pb, Ni, Ca, and Fe in corn and sorghum plants. In conclusion, waste water irrigation did not increase mineral concentrations of either macro‐ and micro‐elements or heavy trace metals in corn and sorghum plants to hazardous limits according to the established standards and could be used safely for crop irrigation.     

Ilimaquinone (Marine Sponge Metabolite) Induces Apoptosis in HCT-116 Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells via Mitochondrial-Mediated Apoptosis Pathway

Ilimaquinone (IQ), a metabolite found in marine sponges, has been reported to have a number of biological properties, including potential anticancer activity against colon cancer. However, no clear understanding of the precise mechanism involved is known. The aim of this study was to examine the molecular mechanism by which IQ acts on HCT-116 cells. The anticancer activity of IQ was investigated by means of a cell viability assay followed by the determination of induction of apoptosis by means of the use of acridine orange–ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining, Annexin V/PI double staining, DNA fragmentation assays, and TUNEL assays. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was detected using the JC-1 staining technique, and the apoptosis-associated proteins were analyzed using real-time qRT-PCR. A molecular docking study of IQ with apoptosis-associated proteins was also conducted in order to assess the interaction between IQ and them. Our results suggest that IQ significantly suppressed the viability of HCT-116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Fluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation and the TUNEL assay in treated cells demonstrated apoptotic death mode. As an additional confirmation of apoptosis, the increased level of caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression and the downregulation of Bcl-2 and mitochondrial dysfunction were observed in HCT-116 cells after treatment with IQ, which was accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Overall, the results of our studies demonstrate that IQ could trigger mitochondria-mediated apoptosis as demonstrated by a decrease in ΔΨm, activation of caspase-9/-3, damage of DNA and a decrease in the proportion of Bcl-2 through the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway.     

The performance of dry ice-transported cryopreserved spermatozoa in the artificial insemination of the hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)

ABSTRACT

In this study, the cryopreserved spermatozoa of Epinephelus lanceolatus were transported using a novel method involving dry ice as the medium of preservation and a Styrofoam box. Five conditions were investigated for the cryopreserved sperm under different dry ice exposure times of (24, 48, and 72) h corresponding to treatment 1 (T1), 3 (T3), and 5 (T5), respectively. Meanwhile, the remaining treatments (T2 and T4) involved the same exposure to dry ice for (24 and 48) h followed by re-immersion into liquid nitrogen (LN). The performance of the cryopreserved spermatozoa of the hybrid grouper (E. fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂) was evaluated through fertilization and hatching trials. The results showed no significant difference in fertilization for all five treatments. However, significantly poorer hatching rates than the fresh sperm were observed for spermatozoa exposed to dry ice after 48 h. This study recommends the use of the proposed method to successfully transport E. lanceolatus spermatozoa for the production of hybrid groupers via artificial insemination.     

Identification of genomic regions at seedling related traits in response to aluminium toxicity using a new high-density genetic map in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Aluminium toxicity is adversely affecting the rice growth and production in acidic soils of developing countries. Rice is popular and stable crop which meets...     

Identification and characterization of pathogens associated with root rot of winter peas grown under organic management in Germany

Root rots are limiting factor for pea production worldwide. This disease is caused by a pathogen complex and the role of single pathogens is unclear. This study aimed at identifying pathogens involved in a root rot of organically grown field pea in Germany, and establishing their importance in the disease complex. The potential of yard waste compost to suppress the diseased was also studied. Average disease severity index was similar in 2010 and 2011 (DI of 4.56 to 4.59, respectively) but it increased in 2012 to DI 5.8. Peyronellaea pinodella was most frequently isolated pathogen, with isolation frequency from 86%, 73% and 86% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In addition, Didymella pinodes, Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi, F. oxysporum f. sp. pisi and F. avenaceum were the main fungi recovered from pea roots. In pathogenicity test all of the tested pathogens caused weak symptoms on the pigmented winter variety EFB33 and moderate to severe symptoms on the white flowering summer variety Santana. F. avenaceum was the most aggressive pathogen on Santana with DI of 7.4 followed by P. pinodella with DI of 5.7. The high aggressiveness combined with the wide host range highlights the possibility of F. avenaceum emerging as potential risk for organic crop rotation. High levels of resistance of EFB33 against all pathogens shows the potential of this variety to serve as a resource in further research for identification and development of new sources of resistance against root rot diseases of pea.     

Genetic diversity and recombination analysis based on capsid protein gene of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chilli veinal mottle virus</Emphasis> isolates from Pakistan

Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), is a Potyvirus that causes severe yield losses in capsicum worldwide including Pakistan. In the current study, genetic diversity and molecular evolution of ChiVMV were explored based on the CP gene sequences. In multiple sequence alignments of the CP gene of 29 ChiVMV isolates, Pakistani isolates shared 82–92% and 78–96% nucleotide and amino acid identities, respectively with other ChiVMV isolates. In nucleotide and amino acid based phylogenetic analysis of the CP gene, the Pakistani isolates clustered with Indian (JN692501 and JN624776) and Chinese (KC711055, KC711055, JX088636 and HQ218936) isolates in a separate clade. In all Pakistani isolates, conserved motifs (DAG, WCIEN, QMKAAL, and AFDF) were located at 6–8, 141–145, 222–225, and 242-248th amino acid positions, respectively. Eleven recombination events were detected in the isolates investigated. One Pakistani isolate KX236451 was suggested to be a recombinant between the Pakistani isolate (KT876050) and the Indian isolate (JN692501). Most of the codons were found under negative selection except for codons at 28, 34, and 38th positions that were found under positive selection by REL method. An infrequent gene flow was observed between the ChiVMV isolates from Pakistan and other countries of the world. To our knowledge, this is the first report on genetic diversity of Pakistani isolates of ChiVMV based on recombination and phylogenetic analysis. Findings of this study may be helpful in developing sustainable management strategies against ChiVMV not only in Pakistan but also in other countries, ultimately resulting in enhanced and good quality production of chilli crop.