Hypolipidemic activity of Acorus calamus L. in rats

The rhizomes of Acorus calamus are empirically used in the treatment of a wide variety of human diseases. Administration of the 50% ethanolic extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) as well as saponins (10 mg/kg) isolated from the extract demonstrated significant hypolipidemic activity. On the contrary, the aqueous extract showed hypolipidemic activity only at a dose of 200 mg/kg.     

Identification of a diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm based on genotyping using microsatellite markers

Identification of a small core germplasm set representing the available genetic diversity is essential for its proper evaluation and subsequent utilization in rice improvement programmes. For constituting a small diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm, a representative set of 6912 accessions drawn based on their geographic origin from the whole rice germplasm collection available in the National Gene Bank was genotyped using 36 microsatellite markers. Automated fragment analysis of amplicons yielded a total of 435 alleles, with an average 12.4 and range of 3–29 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.08 (RGNMS190) to 0.86 (RM552) with an average of 0.528. Based on genotyping data, a mini‐core consisting of 98 genotypes was identified. Ninety‐four per cent of the alleles present in the core set were present in the mini‐core. The identified small but diverse panel will be useful for further intensive trait‐specific evaluation and utilization in allele mining.     

Variability in in vitro macrophage activation by commercially diverse bulk echinacea plant material is predominantly due to bacterial lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides

We previously reported that the majority of in vitro monocyte/macrophage activation exhibited by extracts of Echinacea and other botanicals depends upon bacterial lipopolysaccharides and Braun-type bacterial lipoproteins. We determined the contribution made by these bacterial components to the overall immune-enhancing activity detected in E. purpurea and E. angustifolia bulk root and aerial material obtained from six major growers/suppliers in North America. Substantial variation in activity (up to 200-fold) was observed in extracts of these materials when tested in two monocyte/macrophage cell lines. The majority of activity was negated by treatment with agents that target bacterial lipoproteins (lipoprotein lipase) and lipopolysaccharides (polymyxin B). Experiments comparing the activity of freeze-dried, freshly harvested Echinacea plants to those harvested and dried using various commercially relevant conditions suggest that postharvesting procedures do not substantially contribute to the variation observed in the commercial material.     

Podophyllum lignans array of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle populations from semi-desert alpine region of Zanskar valley in Himalayas

Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (Syn. P. emodi Wale) a perennial rhizomatous herb found in alpine region distributed in the entire range of Himalayas from Ladakh to Sikkim at an altitude of 3000-4200 m asl is an preferred commercial source of Podophyllum lignans. It contains three times more Podophyllotoxin than the American species, Podophyllum peltatum. The present study was aimed to investigate variation of Podophyllum lignans contents based on six marker compounds viz. Podophyllotoxin; Deoxypodophyllotoxin; Picropodophyllotoxin; Podophyllotoxin β-d-glucopyanoside; Isopicropodophyllone; 4′-Demethyldeoxypodophyllotoxin, β-d-lucopyanoside, in P. hexandrum population growing at three locations. Further, ontogenetic and morphogenetic variations of Podophyllum lignan contents were studied to investigate dynamics of accumulation of these compounds. Representative collections from three locations viz., Panikhar, Padam and Tangoli located in Trans Himalayan semi-desert region of Zanskar valley were harvested at three stages (dormancy, active growth and maturity). Plants were dissected into root, rhizome and rhizome-buds, dried separately and assayed for Podophyllum lignan contents by high performance liquid chromatography.     

A phylogenomic study of birds reveals their evolutionary history

Deep avian evolutionary relationships have been difficult to resolve as a result of a putative explosive radiation. Our study examined approximately 32 kilobases of aligned nuclear DNA sequences from 19 independent loci for 169 species, representing all major extant groups, and recovered a robust phylogeny from a genome-wide signal supported by multiple analytical methods. We documented well-supported, previously unrecognized interordinal relationships (such as a sister relationship between passerines and parrots) and corroborated previously contentious groupings (such as flamingos and grebes). Our conclusions challenge current classifications and alter our understanding of trait evolution; for example, some diurnal birds evolved from nocturnal ancestors. Our results provide a valuable resource for phylogenetic and comparative studies in birds.     

Deployment of wild relatives for genetic improvement in rice (Oryza sativa)

Rice is one of the most important crops in the world. The wild species of rice are expected to have novel beneficial alleles that have been lost from cultivated rice during the process of domestication. Therefore, wild species could be the potential source to induce lost genetic diversity in cultivated rice. Serving as an important reservoir of novel genes/QTLs, wild species, in general, are better adapted to different ecologies and can tolerate many biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite that, only a few wild species are studied and extensive characterization both at the molecular and morphological level is yet to be achieved. Several agronomically important genes/QTLs for improving biotic and abiotic stresses, resistance, productivity and grain quality traits were identified from AA genome donor wild species and were tagged with breeder friendly molecular markers for their transfer to elite genetic backgrounds. The present review provides information on the important wild rice species harbouring genes/QTLs for agriculturally important traits and their successful utilization in rice breeding programmes.     

Monsoon paddy monitoring and assessment using synthetic aperture radar data under BGREI programme in Odisha,India

Bringing green revolution in eastern India (BGREI) is an initiative of Department of Agriculture and Co-operation (DAC) Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Govt. of India with the aim of increasing crop productivity through improved inputs and package of practices in seven states of eastern India comprising the low productivity zones. The current study aimed at assessment of the BGREI plots with respect to crop vigour variability using space-based observations. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data were used to assess the rice crop growth pattern and vigour through change in backscatter response. A SAR-based methodology was developed to evaluate the effect of BGREI initiative in the state of Odisha. The peak biomass, an indicator of crop vigour was 15–30 % higher in BGREI plots compared to the controlled plots. The improvement was higher in traditionally low productivity rainfed zones. Uniformity in growth in terms of growth rate, transplantation time and duration was observed in BGREI plots. The positive effect of BGREI in Odisha indicates that BGREI may be a breakthrough in improving rice productivity in low productivity zones of eastern India.     

Determination of Chemical Composition and Nutritive Value with Fatty Acid Compositions of African Mangosteen (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Garcinia Livingstonei</Emphasis>)

African mangosteen (Garcinia livingstonei T. Anderson) is native to Africa and is exotic to other parts of the world. It is a fruit bearing tree with multiple uses. This study was purposed to determine, by analysis, the chemical compositions and nutritive value of the fruits of African mangosteen. Proximate compositions varied with the portions such as epicarp, mesocarp, endocarp and seed tested. All fruit portions contained carbohydrate (37.67–95.02%) and crude protein (0.65–31.76%) as their major components. Moisture (0.45–3.42%), crude fat (1.23–19.55%), crude fiber (2.93–21.13%) and ash (1.76–5.44%) were also found at different levels, depending upon the portions. All portions of fruit were rich in macro and micro elements. The fruits also possessed phenolics (174.02–10.725?mg GAE per g), flavonoid (19.25 to 99.98?µg QE per g) and alkaloid (1.56 to 9.49?mg/kg) contents. The constitution of tannins and oxalate which contribute towards the anti-nutritive value was also low, thus making the fruits beneficial for consumption. Quality attributes like relative amount of oleic acid, total unsaturated fatty acid, acid value, free fatty acid, peroxide value and iodine value showed that the seed oil of African mangosteen can become one among the oleic acid based vegetable oils for consumption.     

Occurrence of two races of Puccinia kuehnii causing orange rust of sugarcane in Florida

Orange rust of sugarcane caused by Puccinia kuehnii was first reported in Florida in 2007. Since then, several sugarcane cultivars that were resistant during the initial epidemics became susceptible within a few years. These shifts in resistance were attributed to the evolution of the pathogen and appearance of new races. To study the variation in virulence of P. kuehnii, healthy leaf pieces of sugarcane cultivars susceptible to orange rust were brush inoculated with isolates of P. kuehnii collected from susceptible cultivars in the field. After inoculation, leaf pieces were placed in an incubator and disease severity based on the number of rust uredinia was determined 2 weeks postinoculation. Isolates of P. kuehnii collected from sugarcane cultivar CP 89-2143, which only showed severe symptoms of orange rust starting in 2011–2012, produced 300%–500% more uredinia on CP 89-2143 than the isolates collected from cultivar CL 85-1040 that has been susceptible since 2007. Sugarcane cultivar CL 85-1040 exhibited high and equivalent numbers of uredinia regardless of the inoculated isolate of the pathogen. These data support the occurrence of pathogenic specialization within P. kuehnii and the existence of at least two races of this pathogen in Florida. Analysis of amplified fragment-length polymorphism among isolates of P. kuehnii from cultivars CP 89-2143 and CL 85-1040 differing in resistance to orange rust revealed genetic variation among rust uredinia. However, this variation was not associated with a specific sugarcane cultivar, suggesting that pathogenic variation was not linked to major, but rather to small genetic changes within the genome of P. kuehnii.     

Molecular characterization of genetic basis of Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Virus (SCYLV) resistance in Saccharum spp. hybrid

Sugarcane (Saccharum Spp.) produces 80% of the world's sugar along with other by‐products. The production of sugarcane is vulnerable to infestation of sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) worldwide. A study was conducted using an F₁ segregating population derived from CP95‐1039 × CP88‐1762 to identify the genetic factors underlying SCYLV resistance. The disease infection data were measured using tissue blot immunoassay after 6 years of exposure to the virus under natural field conditions. Genetic maps were created using genotyping by sequencing‐based markers for each parent separately following a pseudo‐testcross approach. Two quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected for SCYLV resistance accounting for 28% of the phenotypic variation. A major QTL qSCYLR79 located on linkage group 79 and linked with marker 3PAV3154 appears to be unique for SCYLV resistance in sugarcane. Progeny having a combination of two major alleles had 31% less SCYLV incidence than progeny with a combination of major and minor alleles in the genomic region of qSCYLR79. Thus, selection against the minor allele may decrease the SCYLV incidence in sugarcane.