Search

Powdery mildew (PM) is a fungus that causes disease in both the field and the greenhouse. Utilizing resistant cultivars is the most effective approach of disease management. To develop insertion-deletion (InDel) markers associated to this trait, the whole genomes of the PM resistant line M17050 (P1) and the PM-susceptible line 28-1-1 (P2) were sequenced. A total of 1 200 InDels, with an average of 100 markers per chromosome, were arbitrarily chosen from the sequencing data for experimental validation. One hundred InDel markers were ultimately selected due to their informative genetic bands. Further, an F2 segregating population of melons generated from these two parents was inoculated by the PM pathogen. Based on bulk segregant analysis (BSA) using these 100 InDel markers, the powdery mildew resistance was associated with the genomic region LVpm12.1 on the melon chromosome 12. This region overlapped the previously described quantitative trait locus (QTL)-hotspot area carrying multiple PM-resistance QTLs. Moreover, conventional QTL mapping analysis was done, which located LVpm12.1 in the region between 22.72 and 23.34 Mb, where three highly polymorphic InDel markers MInDel89, MInDel92, and MInDel93 were detected. Therefore, these markers could be used to track this resistance locus in melon while the lines carrying this locus could be employed in PM melon resistance breeding programs after validation tests [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soybean is an excellent source of protein, also richer in oil than most legumes, making them a good source for vegetable oil and biofuels. Among various difficulties the maturity period of existing soybean varieties is the main hindrance of utilizing this for the existing cropping system. The narrow genetic base of cultivated soybean varieties and germplasm limit the scope to utilize directly in the breeding program. Methods: Mutation breeding is one of the techniques that provide large genetic diversity from a single source. To broaden the genetic diversity Binasoybean-3 and Binasoybean-4 were imposed to different doses of gamma radiation. The mutants were selected based on their agronomic performance and grouped at five different clusters at M5 generations. Maximum selection pressure was done during maturity period with protein and oil content. Result: Finally, eight mutants were selected for the advance breeding program, whereas mutants SM-03-15-5 mature within 90 days, containing 38% protein and 18.4% oil content will be considered directly for further steps of varietal release system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to investigate the best quality parental line selection of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) varieties based on morpho-physiological and nutritional attributes. Significant variations were observed for the measured morpho-physiological and nutritional attributes among those varieties. Among the major traits; highest fresh and dry weight of fruit was recorded in variety 3 (Ok1-MKB1) and 7 (Ok7-GGS). Days to 50% flowering and days to mature fruit harvest showed that varieties 2 (Ok2-0366) and 4 (Ok4-LG) were the earliest. Variety 4 possessed the highest level of P while variety 6 (Ok6-ABM) of okra fruits contained the highest concentration of K. Zinc content was the highest in variety 4 and the lowest was in variety 1. Next, Variety 7 had the highest concentration of Mg and the lowest was in variety 6. Variety 5 (Ok5-SS103) contained the highest concentration of Fe while variety 3 had the lowest. Lastly, variety 3 possessed the highest content of Ca while the lowest was in variety 1, respectively. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed the strongest correlation (P = 0.001) in between days to 50% flowering and days to harvest, while fruit fresh weight and fruit dry weight as well. Cluster analysis grouped those 7 okra varieties into five different clusters; where V2, V3 and V6 were solely different from others, indicating the highest diversity compared to other accessions. So, for varietal improvement program, the most judicious crossing combination can be made with V2, V3 and V6 with V1 or V5 and V4 or V7, which would bring about the greater genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micronutrient malnutrition is a major problem in developing countries affecting women, children and infants. Biofortification, improved soil health and waste management efficiencies have been used to overcome nutrient deficiencies. Application of classical breeding and selection resulted in rapid development of staple crops through breeding. The Cucurbitaceae mainly pumpkins and squashes (Cucurbita moschata Duch., Cucurbita pepo L., Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lam), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.), and melon (Cucumis melo L.) possess beneficial vitamins and minerals that can be used as nutrients for human consumption. To improve nutritional content in Cucurbitaceae, understanding the information in the genome is important for breeders to increase the level of nutrition and quality of characteristics using biotechnology approaches. Nonconventional breeding approaches can assist conventional breeding to save time, costs, and efficacy in selection. This review describes breeding strategies for necessary solutions toward development of elite varieties of Cucurbitaceae via various approaches that contain high nutrition content and improve traits and quality to fight micronutrient malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural sources may be a method to introduce antioxidants in the human diet. Portulaca oleracea L., Peperomia pellucida L., and Trianthema portulacastrum L are underutilized leafy vegetables. The plants may be sources for total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC), total carotenoid (TCC), and β-carotene but information is lacking. Antioxidant activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and macro- and microminerals contents were investigated in P. oleracea, P. pellucida and T. portulacastrum. Trianthema portulacastrum had the highest TPC (1.34 ± 0.13 mg∙g−1), TFC (0.58 ± 0.08 mg∙g−1), TCC (0.14 ± 0.01 mg∙g−1), and β-carotene (0.94 ± 0.18 mg∙g−1) values. The antioxidant activity and FRAP assay were highest in P. oleracea (0.91 ± 0.09 mg∙g−1); the DPPH assay for P. pellucida was highest (IC50 = 7 µg∙mL−1). The amount of K was highest in P. oleracea (55.470 ± 0.481 g∙kg−1). The amount of Mn was highest in P. pellucida (0.251 ± 0.002 g∙kg−1). The individual underutilized vegetables may be able to supply some antioxidant compounds and mineral contents for the human diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of temperature on the seed germination, root development and seedling growth of watermelon. Yellow flesh watermelon seeds were incubated with control (normal temperature 25°C, 20°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C under lab condition. This experiment was carried out with Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and each treatment consists of five replications. The morphological and physiological parameters were measured once a week for five weeks during the germination and early seedling establishment. The results showed that seed treated under 35°C treatment produced the best results for the days require to germination, germination percentage, root development, vine and root length, leaf expansion and seedling growth of watermelon. In addition, chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic yield and stomatal conductance also affected positively with the temperature treatments. Fresh and dry biomass accumulation in the seedlings of watermelon was also the highest in 35°C treatment. It can be concluded that seeds incubated with 35°C during the germination increased the germination rate, root development and seedlings growth of watermelon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]