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Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi (Fop) is a highly destructive root rot pathogen for the pea (Pisum sativum L.) plant. In this study, the presence of F. oxysporum isolates was detected during the 2020–2021 growing season in plants showing symptoms of root rot in provinces of Turkey (Bursa, Afyonkarahisar, İzmir and Aydın) important for pea production. The pathogen was identified by its colony growth on various media, morphological characteristics and, molecular characterization based on DNA sequencing and SCoT markers. The pathogenicity of 183 isolates obtained from the roots of disease symptomatic plants was tested after artificial inoculation of pruned roots of seedlings by dipping in a conidia suspension of the isolates. Disease severity was scored and the length of brown lesions on the stem, extending from the base, was measured for each isolate. The isolates showed very large variation (0%-80%) for disease severity. A total of 50 isolates showing high stem-lesion lengths within different disease severity ranges were selected and evaluated for their effect on plant growth parameters such as plant height, number of seeds per pod and number of pods per plant. There were significant positive correlations between the reduction (%) in plant height and lesion length, and disease severity. These isolates can potentially cause yield losses in Turkey's pea cultivation based on the measured stem lesions which could be an indication of the pathogenicity of different Fop isolates. New information about pathogenic variability in Fop isolates from Turkey will be valuable for detecting races of this pathogen and resistance of pea genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ‘Ak Sakı’ and ‘Kara Sakı’ apple cultivars were collected from different locations in Erzincan province, Türkiye, and genetic diversity was determined using the Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) marker technique. The SCoT marker technique was chosen because its gene targeting, long primer, and high annealing temperature make it more effective than other marker techniques. Using ten SCoT primers, 60 bands were obtained, and 42 of them were polymorphic. The polymorphism rate was determined to be 70%. The UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean) dendrogram created using the PAUP 4.0b10 program consists of two clades. The genetic distance between apple cultivars varies between 0.13462 and 0.45614. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results were compatible with the UPGMA dendrogram. With the SCoT marker technique, genetic diversity among apple cultivars can be determined in a shorter time and with more reliable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-altitude regions like the Himalaya, where various slopes are present on a very small spatial scale, are one of the best natural laboratories for investigating how genetic diversity and population structure are distributed across altitudinal gradients. In this study, we investigate the magnitude of genetic diversity and population structure of Rhododendron anthopogon D.Don along an altitudinal gradient in the Kashmir Himalaya. We used the start codon targeted (SCoT) marker to evaluate the genetic diversity and differentiation between different populations across five sites along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 3200 to 4000 m (amsl). Our results demonstrate that the magnitude of genetic diversity differs among the populations of R. anthopogon along the altitudinal gradient. We observed a decreasing trend in genetic diversity with increasing altitude from site-1 to site-3 (3200 to 3600 m), and an increasing trend from site-4 to site-5 (3601 to 4000 m). Furthermore, we also observed the highest genetic diversity at upper altitude (site-5) and the lowest at mid-altitude (site-3). Our results reveal a high genetic differentiation (Gst = 0.7349) and a low gene flow (Nm = 0.1804) among the populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) reveals 71% variation among the populations and 29% variation within the populations. We also reveal positive associations between geographic and genetic distances, indicating isolation by distance effect across all altitudes. STRUCTURE and cluster analysis divided all the populations of R. anthopogon into five clusters according to their geographical location. Overall, the study adds to our understanding that altitude is the major driver of genetic variation and differentiation between populations of R. anthopogon which may help increase its range under ongoing projected climate change. Our study also reveals that populations at higher altitudes are not genetically isolated, suggesting that they might be an essential source for migration in the era of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective During the start-up and shutdown processes of the natural gas purification unit, the tail gas is directly discharged without the SCOT tail gas treatment unit, and it has the characteristics of long time, high emission, complex composition and large fluctuation. During this period, a large amount of SO2 may accumulate. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures to achieve SO2 emission reductions during the start-up and shutdown processes. Method Aiming at SO2 and H2S in tail gas, a desulfurization process by tail gas absorption-adsorption coupling method was proposed. And the research focused on the absorption of SO2 using an alkaline solution and the adsorption of H2S onto a renewable adsorbent. Results The alkaline solution absorption process could ensure that SO2 was almost completely absorbed, and basically did not absorb H2S and CO2, which could avoid the excessive consumption of alkaline solution. 13X molecular sieve had a good adsorption effect on H2S and regenerative effect, which could adsorb circularly. The regenerated H2S can also be recycled once the facility is restarted and operating stably. Conclusions The absorption of SO2 coupled with adsorption of H2S in tail gas can ensure that the SO2 discharge of the natural gas purification plant is greatly reduced during the start-up and shutdown processes, and the process is simple with a high operational flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was the first report on the genetic diversity among 18 local chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genotypes presented in the Jordanian National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) Seed Genbank collected from different Jordanian regions. Inter- Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Start Codon Target (SCoT) Polymorphism molecular markers were used to investigate their relationship. 13 different ISSR primers amplified 135 bands, among them 110 were polymorphic. In comparison, the 10 SCoT primers amplified 166 bands, among them 129 were polymorphic. The polymorphism average and the PIC values in ISSR and SCoT primers were 72%, 75%, 0.17, and 0.26, respectively. The genetic similarity values were moderate, for ISSR-PCR analyses between 0.769-0.452, while for SCoT-PCR analyses ranged from 0.744 to 0.468. The UPGMA analysis grouped the 18 Cicer arietinum genotypes into two main clusters divided into sub-clusters and smaller groups in both ISSR and SCoT analyses. STRUCTURE analyses produced three populations mixed within each other in ISSR and SCoT analyses. Current results indicated that SCoT molecular marker proved to be more informative in distinguishing closely related genotypes than ISSR molecular marker. The 18 C. arietinum genotypes are genetically related to each other, even though they were geographically distant landraces. Our findings provided significant data for characterizing the genotypes within the seed genebank.; however, there is no duplication among the stored Cicer arietinum genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop in the world because of its nutritional value and industrial benefits. Molecular markers are used mainly by the breeders to study the genetic variability of genotypes and its application in the breeding process. Two types of molecular markers, 10 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers and 10 start codon target (SCoT) primers, were assayed to determine the genetic diversity of 25 Slovak maize lines and 25 maize cultivars. A high level of polymorphism was found with both RAPD and SCoT markers, which was confirmed by high average polymorphism information content (PIC) values using both techniques. The efficiency of individual marker techniques in the detection of genotype diversity can be compared by calculating the marker index (MI), detecting diversity index (DDI), discriminating power, resolving power (RP) and other indices. A higher MI (11.788), DDI (2.358) and RP (53.08) value was achieved by the SCoT technique compared to the RAPD method. Three joint dendrograms and PCoA plots constructed based on RAPD, SCoT and both methods combined confirmed the unambiguous separation of maize lines and cultivars from each other. The results obtained from the RAPD and SCoT analysis can be used for the selection of potentially suitable biological sources for further marker-assisted breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) has received limited attention regarding its genetic diversity, rendering it susceptible to climate change. To develop resilient Berseem cultivars, exploring its genetic resources is vital for enhancing the diversity within its germplasm, thereby optimizing breeding programs. The examination of 24 Berseem accessions. Using three different molecular marker types; Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) (10 primers), Start Codon Targeted polymorphism (SCoT) (22 primers), and Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) (17 primer combinations) revealed a high genetic variability. ISSR markers had the highest polymorphism rate (82.2%) compared to SCoT (69.6%) and SRAP (65.2%). Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean clustering analysis divided the studied accessions into two major groups, supported by STRUCTURE analysis, which also split samples into two subpopulations (∆K = 2). Additionally, this classification was verified by both principal component analysis and a heat map. The study underscores the importance of Berseem's genetic diversity in crop development and breeding, with ISSR markers offering valuable insights due to their high polymorphism. Despite the diverse geographic origins of the accessions, the lack of geographic clustering implies significant genetic mixing, possibly because of high outcrossing facilitated by insect pollination or self-incompatibility. The combined use of multiple markers deepens our understanding of Berseem's genetics by providing more detailed and comprehensive coverage of the clover genome, allowing for increased resolution, validation of results, and a holistic perspective on the genomic landscape, furthermore, identifying and recommending specific Berseem accessions (NGB-43724, NGB-19680, Gemeiza1, and Giza6) as prospective candidates for future breeding programs in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), a potential legume as an economic source of protein, is commonly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It possesses medicinal properties and acts as a cash crop, benefiting low-income farmers economically. The identification of pigeon peas exhibiting drought tolerance has become crucial in addressing water scarcity issues in the agriculture sector. In addition, exploring the genetic diversity among genotypes is important for conservation, management of genetic resources, and breeding programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of selected pigeon pea genotypes under pot-induced water stress conditions through different field capacities as well as the genetic diversity using start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. A significant variation was observed for the physiological traits studied. The accumulation of fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) was significantly reduced in moderate and severe drought stress conditions. The lowest % DW decrease was found in LM (35.39%), KAT (39.43%), and SM (46.98%) than other genotypes at severe drought stress. Analyses of physiological responses including the photosynthetic efficiency (Phi2), the chlorophyll content (SPAD), and the relative water content (RWC) revealed positive and negative correlations with various parameters, reflecting the impact of drought stress on the chlorophyll content. The results revealed that biochemical traits including the total phenolic content, soluble sugars, proline, total protein, total amino acids, and free amino acids were variably and significantly increased under water stress. Antioxidant enzyme activity levels, specifically ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase, varied among the genotypes and in response to severe water stress, offering further insights into adaptive responses. The eight genotypes analysed by use of 20 SCoT markers revealed 206 alleles and an average of 10.3 alleles per locus. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.336 to 0.676, clustering the pigeon pea genotypes into two major groups by the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) explained 43.11% of genetic variation and based on analysis of molecular variance, a high genetic variation (80%) within populations was observed, emphasizing the potential for genetic improvement. Among the eight genotypes studied, LM and KAT were drought tolerant and genetically diverse and therefore could be used as parents for developing drought tolerance in pigeon pea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity is crucial for understanding the various characteristics of plants, such as their appearance, function, chemical structure, and genetic composition. This study investigated five different basil cultivars, lemon, sweet, Italian, white, and red French, for genetic diversity by ISSR and SCOT analysis and its effect on essential oils' yield and antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. The genetic diversity of five basil cultivars was determined using ISSR and SCOT-PCR molecular markers. A total of 60 loci were produced by the ISSR-PCR reactions, 26 of which were polymorphic, while 16 were unique. The level of polymorphism varied from 55.65 to 88.89%. The molecular profile generated by SCOT-PCR revealed 54 loci, 26 of which were polymorphic, while eight were unique. The level of polymorphism ranged from 50 to 72.72%. The most unique bands were found in the BLe cultivar, 11 by the ISSR markers and 7 by the SCOT markers. The molecular results influence the biological activities of basil cultivars. The GC/MS detected twenty-four compounds; Linalool and methyl cinnamate were the main VOC compounds in the basil profile. The lemon basil essential oil (Ble) had the highest phenolic content (368 mg/g) compared to the other cultivars' EOs; therefore, it exhibited the highest scavenging activity, reducing 89% of DPPH radicals followed by local basil (Bl). The Ble showed considerable antiviral activity against the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) as a model for the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Ble's cytotoxic concentration 50% (CC50) was 1400 µg/mL, demonstrating the best antiviral efficacy. Additionally, Ble and Bl exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and pathogenic fungi, i.e., Fusarium oxysporium, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Helminthosporium solani, Alternaria alternata, Pythium aphanidermatum, Botrytis cinerea, and Rhizoctonia solani). The anticancer activity of basil EOs was examined against MCF7 cancer cell lines; BLe cultivar reduced 85 % of the viability of MCF7 cancer cells. The examined basil EOs exhibit strong phyto-medical potential based on their chemical structure and antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Based on the molecular and biochemical analysis results, the BLe and Bl cultivars were the best for medicinal use future breeding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juglans regia L. is an edible fruit tree cultivated worldwide for its fruits and wood and as an urban tree. Globally, there is growing concern for preserving the genetic diversity of trees with high economic and ecological value. This study investigates the genetic diversity of J. regia in urban landscapes and assesses the quality of its walnut kernels as a local food product. An inventory of 150 trees from five populations in public green spaces in Lugoj, Caransebeș and Jupa, as well as two semi-natural hilly ecosystems in the Banat Region, was conducted. Molecular analyses showed that Directed Amplification of Minisatellite-region DNA (DAMD) markers were more effective than Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers, with a higher average polymorphism of 56.26%, compared to 49.44%. DAMD07 achieved 100% polymorphism and DAMD05 showed a strong balance between P.I.C. (0.35) and polymorphism (54.54%). Chemical analysis revealed the following contents in walnut kernels: protein (12.81% to 16.80%), lipids (60.39% to 69.08%), total polyphenols (5484.66 to 10,788.4 mg GAE/kg), copper (3.655 to 8.532 mg/kg), manganese (14.408 to 28.618 mg/kg), zinc (19.813 to 46.583 mg/kg), lead (1.204 to 2.27 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.03451 to 0.08065 mg/kg). These findings are critical for conservation efforts, urban forestry management and ensuring the quality and safety of walnut products derived from J. regia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), a hardy deciduous shrub of the family Elaeagnaceae, is known for its economic and ecological importance due to its wide use in medicine, food, windbreaks, and sand fixation. In this study, the first genetic linkage map of H. rhamnoides was constructed based on an F1 population (H. rhamnoides subsp. mongolica 'wulangemu' × H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis 'wucixiong') by using start codon targeted (SCoT), sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The linkage map contained 1143 markers with a total length of 1889.46 centimorgans (cM), including 12 linkage groups (LG) and covering 97.17% of the estimated genome, with an average marker density of 1.67 cM. According to the phenotypic variation analysis, 61 QTLs were identified. Among these QTLs, there were 18 QTLs for seedling height, 27 QTLs for ground diameter, two QTLs for primary branching angle, 11 QTLs for leaf width, and 3 QTLs for leaf shape index. The range of phenotypic variation explained by these QTLs was 10.7 ~ 21.9%. The QTLs identified by high-density linkage mapping reported in this study will be useful for the molecular breeding of sea buckthorn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pot marigold is an ornamental plant of great importance in pharmacy and cosmetology. However, there is limited published information on the diversity of the species at both the morphological and genetic levels. This paper aimed to determine the morphological and genetic diversity of selected marigold varieties. The research focused on varieties with different flower colours, and the most important morphological features of flowers and plant height were analysed. Genetic diversity analyses were performed using start codon target (SCoT) markers. The correlation coefficients between the analysed morphological features of the studied marigold varieties showed a significant positive relationship between plant height, the number of inflorescences per plant and inflorescence diameter. Genetic analyses grouped the studied varieties according to the colour of their flowers. The results obtained in our work indicate that, despite the variability observed in morphological features, the gene pool of the analysed marigold varieties is limited. This information can be valuable for marigold breeders, particularly for selecting varieties suitable for crossbreeding in breeding programs. Additionally, it offers insights into the genetic resources of the species and highlights the importance of their bioconservation.

Abstract In light of the multitude of olive trees cultivated and the lack of the genetic diversity of available genotypes to select varieties and lines that are characterized by high diversity and better performance under the corresponding conditions, A comparison analysis of the genotyping and morphological characteristics of eight olive cultivars growing in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jouf region was conducted and analyzed. Morpho-anatomical and chemical characteristics along with both inter-simple-sequence repeats (ISSRs) and start-codon-targeted (SCoT) markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity among eight olive varieties in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. Analyses of 27 morphological, chemical, and anatomical characteristics concluded the existence of genetic differences among the studied varieties. Moreover, six ISSR and eight SCoT primer combinations produced a total of 48 loci, of which 18 (10 ISSR and 8 SCoT) were polymorphic. The average polymorphism information content (PIC values of 0.48 and 0.44, respectively) and marker index (MI of 0.79 and 0.48, respectively) detected for ISSR and SCoT markers revealed the prevalence of high genetic diversity among the studied olive varieties. Based on chemical and anatomical characteristics and the selected molecular markers, the eight olive cultivars were grouped into two distinct clusters. Clusters in the adjacent joint dendrogram produced using ISSR, SCoT and combined data were similar, and grouped all individuals into two groups. However, the dendrogram generated on the basis of SCoT separated individuals into subgroups containing at least two varieties. The findings showed that both methods were effective in assessing diversity, and that SCoT markers can be used as a reliable and informative method for assessing genetic diversity and relationships among olive varieties and can serve as a complementary tool to provide a more complete understanding of the genetic diversity available in Olea europaea populations in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Indian senna (Senna alexandrina Mill.) (formerly Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) is an important medicinal plant of the family Fabaceae. The leaves and pods of Indian senna yield sennosides and rhein-based laxative. Adulteration of Indian senna is a serious issue as with most of the medicinal plants used in the Indian systems of traditional medicine. The bulk of dried leaves and pods of morphologically related species, such as Cassia fistula, Senna occidentalis, Senna sophera, and Senna tora, is usually mixed with those of the Indian senna, and the admixture is used in laxative-based formulations. The present investigation is a modest attempt at developing species-specific start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism- and CAAT-box-derived polymorphism (CBDP)- based sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers for the identification and authentication of Indian senna and four adulterant species (C. fistula, S. occidentalis, S. sophera, and S. tora species). Methods: In this study, genomic DNA extracted from 44 accessions of Indian senna and four adulterant species was subjected to SCoT and CBDP PCR. The polymorphic amplicons were identified, eluted, ligated, and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5 a strain. PCR, restriction analysis, and DNA sequencing confirmed the transformed recombinant plasmid clones. Results: Post-sequencing, the sequence of the primary SCoT and CBDP primers was analyzed and extended into the unique signature sequence of the concerned accessions. This resulted in development of one SCoT-44- and two CBDP-25-based SCARs. SCoT-44 SCAR produced a signature amplicon of 287 bp for accession DCA120, and CBDP-25 SCAR yielded signature amplicons of 575 and 345 bp for accessions DCA13 and DCA119, respectively. The developed SCAR markers were validated across 48 samples (44 accessions of Indian senna and 4 adulterant species) and produced distinct amplicons in Indian senna only, while no such amplicon was observed in the other four adulterant species. Discussion: The information generated using these markers have been faithfully converted to single-locus, unequivocal, highly reproducible, and informative sequence-based SCAR markers. These markers will enable discrimination of individual plants on the basis of unique sequence-specific amplicons, which could be used as diagnostic markers to settle issues pertaining to the true identity of Indian senna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the multitude of olive trees cultivated and the lack of the genetic diversity of available genotypes to select varieties and lines that are characterized by high diversity and better performance under the corresponding conditions, A comparison analysis of the genotyping and morphological characteristics of eight olive cultivars growing in Saudi Arabia's Al-Jouf region was conducted and analyzed. Morpho-anatomical and chemical characteristics along with both inter-simple-sequence repeats (ISSRs) and start-codon-targeted (SCoT) markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity among eight olive varieties in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. Analyses of 27 morphological, chemical, and anatomical characteristics concluded the existence of genetic differences among the studied varieties. Moreover, six ISSR and eight SCoT primer combinations produced a total of 48 loci, of which 18 (10 ISSR and 8 SCoT) were polymorphic. The average polymorphism information content (PIC values of 0.48 and 0.44, respectively) and marker index (MI of 0.79 and 0.48, respectively) detected for ISSR and SCoT markers revealed the prevalence of high genetic diversity among the studied olive varieties. Based on chemical and anatomical characteristics and the selected molecular markers, the eight olive cultivars were grouped into two distinct clusters. Clusters in the adjacent joint dendrogram produced using ISSR, SCoT and combined data were similar, and grouped all individuals into two groups. However, the dendrogram generated on the basis of SCoT separated individuals into subgroups containing at least two varieties. The findings showed that both methods were effective in assessing diversity, and that SCoT markers can be used as a reliable and informative method for assessing genetic diversity and relationships among olive varieties and can serve as a complementary tool to provide a more complete understanding of the genetic diversity available in Olea europaea populations in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes benefits of the application of zinc oxide submicron particles (ZnO SMPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and ZnO NPs combined with silver NPs (ZnO + Ag NPs) in chrysanthemum micropropagation. Single node explants of Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl. 'UTP Burgundy Gold (UBG)' and 'UTP Pinky Gold (UPG)' were inoculated on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and treated with 100 mg · L−1, 200 mg · L−1, or 400 mg · L−1 ZnO SMPs, ZnO NPs (1.5% H2O), ZnO NPs (6% H2O), ZnO + 0.1% Ag NPs (1.5% H2O), ZnO + 0.1% Ag NPs (6% H2O), ZnO + 1% Ag NPs (1.5% H2O) and ZnO + 1% Ag NPs (6% H2O). Generally, the tested materials stimulated the growth and development of plantlets. In 'UBG', the most prominent treatments affecting increases in the number of leaves, micropropagation coefficient, shoot length and shoot FW/DW weight included 400 mg · L−1 ZnO SMPs and 100 mg · L−1 ZnO NPs (6% H2O). In 'UPG', the treatments with 200 mg · L−1 ZnO + 0.1% Ag NPs (6% H2O) and 200 mg · L−1 ZnO + 1% Ag NPs (6% H2O) were the most successful. The latter treatment stimulated an intensive development of root systems in the two studied cultivars. High values of leaf area, perimeter and width were reported in both cultivars for 400 mg · L−1 ZnO + 1% Ag NPs (6% H2O). As compared to the control, the treated plants were characterised by a similar or, most often, lower content of chlorophylls and carotenoids. The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and start codon targeted polymorphism (SCoT) marker system analyses of the 400 mg · L−1 ZnO SMPs/ZnO NPs/ZnO + Ag NPs-treated chrysanthemums confirmed their genetic fidelity with the control plants. The obtained results can be implemented in the commercial large-scale production of chrysanthemums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Start Codon Targeted Polymorphism (SCoT) and CAAT box-derived polymorphism (CBDP) techniques were used to analyze the genetic diversity and variation of two bigfin reef squid populations in waters surrounding the Con Dao and Phu Quoc islands of Vietnam for technical comparison. The two used techniques reflected different levels of pairwise genetic similarity among individuals depended on the investigated population. Gene differentiation (GST) between the two investigated populations was 0.0767 and 0.0373 leaded to the genetic distance between them was 0.0381 and 0.0228, and the gene flow was Nm = 6.0195 and 12.9061 migrants per generation between the populations based on SCoT and CBDP techniques, respectively. Genetic variation within individuals of both populations (WP) played the key role in the total genetic variation of whole species in surveyed geographic regions with the distribution of 91.44% based on SCoT data and 93.76% based on CBDP data, the distribution of genetic variation among populations (AP) was small. For whole species in the surveyed region, the CBDP markers showed higher genetic diversity, while the SCoT markers reflected the differentiation and genetic distance between the two investigated populations better. Overall, the abilities to detect polymorphisms and the number of revealed loci using SCoT markers were better than using CBDP markers, while the ability to distinguish samples and the primer combination to detect the differences among investigated samples using CBDP markers were better than using SCoT markers, and the overall utility was comparable between these two marker systems. The results from this study prove that the CBDP technique can also be used in studies of animal population genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corylus avellana L. stands as one of the world's most coveted nuts, thriving in the wild within the Fandoguloo forests of Iran's Ardabil province and showcasing remarkable diversity in this region. To assess the distribution of genetic diversity within and between populations, 78 genotypes from various regions of Iran, including Ardabil, Arasbaran, and Miyaneh, underwent analysis using Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) polymorphism. Additionally, the phytochemical characteristics of Corylus avellana L., such as ash, taxol, total phenol, palmitic acid, fiber, palmitoleic acid, carbohydrate, stearic acid, flavonoid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, fat, antioxidant compounds, and total phenol, were examined. The results revealed that 15 SCoT primers amplified 165 polymorphic polymerase chain reaction fragments, with the SC3 and SC21 primers exhibiting the highest and lowest polymorphic information content, respectively. The calculated marker index for the primers ranged from 2.6 to 6.1. The Ardabil population boasted the highest allele frequency, with a 100% polymorphism rate across all studied primers. The primers SC21, SC20, and SC5 showed the highest polymorphic rates among the populations with 14 fragments. The gene flow within populations was 0.4, whereas the gene flow between populations was 0.7, and the fixation index (Fst) was 0.4. This research underscores the effectiveness of the SCoT marker in gauging the genetic diversity of C. avellana, making it a promising foundation for future research on the population and evolutionary genetics of this economically significant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A.W. Hill (Parsley) is a culinary and medicinal vegetable of the family Apiaceae, which has been used by humans since ancient time. A molecular genetic diversity study was conducted on 10 Iranian populations of P. crispum using start codon targeted (SCoT) molecular markers to investigate infraspecific genetic diversity and population structure. The nuclear genomes extraction were performed using the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol, then amplified using 10 SCoT primers. We found a large amount of population genetic differentiation index (GST) and total genetic difference in the pooled populations (HT) among the examined populations, which were supported by HS, NM. Additionally, we detected a significant genetic diversity (PhiPT = 0.755, P = 0.001) among the populations and their individuals by the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) test, in which its great proportion was assigned to among populations. We detected the largest amounts of genetic polymorphism in populations 1 and 5, while a reverse condition was observed for population 7. We found four genotype groups among the populations that was similar with phytogeographic mapping. The level of genetic divergence between populations (PhiPT) of each genotype was relatively low. This species produce protandrous florets and cross-pollination plays a significant role in seed production. Therefore, the genetic structure of genotypes must be heterogeneous. In Iran, the genetic structure of all genotypes was nearly homogenous which resulted from a flat rate of gene flow, which agreed with our estimated amount of NM (0.13). We supposed a range of isolation mechanisms including, isolation by distance, isolation by environment, isolation by ecology, and isolation by resistance act as driving forces to create high genetic differentiation among the parsley populations. These genotypes can be used for future genetic and breeding research to develop new cultivars can survive under biotic and abiotic stresses and yield high biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is an evergreen shrub with white fragrant flowers, and it is cultivated for its ornamental, aromatic and medicinal value. The present study aimed to select desirable genotypes for potential commercial exploitation as pot plants or use in perfumery. Thus, 32 genotypes of G. jasminoides plants derived from seedlings, whose seeds were obtained from Australia and the USA, were evaluated for their genetic diversity in relation to four commercial cultivars ('Pelion', 'Joy', 'Grandiflora' and 'Kimberly', used as reference cultivars) using ISSR and SCoT markers. A cluster analysis separated the gardenia genotypes into the following three clusters: one cluster comprised the 16 genotypes originating from Australia, one included the 16 genotypes originating from the USA, and the third cluster contained the four reference cultivars. In other words, there was a clear demarcation of the genotypes investigated according to their geographical origin. In addition, the gardenia genotypes were evaluated for their morphological and chemical characteristics. Thus, flower- and leaf-related traits with ornamental value were measured, while the volatile compounds of flower extracts were identified with GC-MS analysis. Genotype 29-5 was selected for its acceptable morphological traits and genotype 51-8 for its rich volatile compounds. The major volatile compounds responsible for the floral aroma of the various gardenia genotypes examined were α-farnesene, benzyl tiglate, cis-3-hexenyltiglate, jasminelactone and linalool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of some Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV)-infected cucurbits compared to the healthy plants based on three molecular tools. When sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) analysis was used to determine the genetic variability of four cucurbits infected with ZYMV compared to the healthy ones, a total of 15 storable protein bands were recorded. The experimental results showed that DNA polymorphisms included 38 polymorphic DNA fragments that were generated using the five inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR-PCR) used primers. The maximum identity (%) among the ZYMV-infected and healthy samples was 59, 56, 45, 40, 30, and 29 % for the plant samples of watermelon, squash, cantaloupe, qethaa, cucumber, and luffa samples, respectively. Phylogenetic tree of DNA polymorphisms confirmed the genetic relationship between each of the healthy samples of watermelon and cucumber, healthy samples of qethaa and cucumber, ZYMV-infected samples of watermelon and squash, and ZYMV-infected samples of kantaloupe and qethaa. Numbers of nine start codon targeted (SCoT) primers were used to determine the DNA fingerprinting of six ZYMinfected cucurbit species compared to the healthy plants of the same species. A total of 88 polymorphic DNA fragments were distributed as follows: 13, 7, 10, 6, 9, 10, 15, 8, and 10, which were generated using SCoT-02, SCoT-03, SCoT-04, SCoT-06, SCoT-08, SCoT-11, SCoT-12, SCoT-13, and SCoT-14 primers, respectively. The DNA polymorphisms of the six ZYMV-infected cucurbit species showed identities that ranged from 32 to 79 % using nine SCoT primers compared to the healthy species.

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), a potential legume as an economic source of protein, is commonly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It possesses medicinal properties and acts as a cash crop, benefiting low-income farmers economically. The identification of pigeon peas exhibiting drought tolerance has become crucial in addressing water scarcity issues in the agriculture sector. In addition, exploring the genetic diversity among genotypes is important for conservation, management of genetic resources, and breeding programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of selected pigeon pea genotypes under pot-induced water stress conditions through different field capacities as well as the genetic diversity using start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. A significant variation was observed for the physiological traits studied. The accumulation of fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) was significantly reduced in moderate and severe drought stress conditions. The lowest % DW decrease was found in LM (35.39%), KAT (39.43%), and SM (46.98%) than other genotypes at severe drought stress. Analyses of physiological responses including the photosynthetic efficiency (Phi2), the chlorophyll content (SPAD), and the relative water content (RWC) revealed positive and negative correlations with various parameters, reflecting the impact of drought stress on the chlorophyll content. The results revealed that biochemical traits including the total phenolic content, soluble sugars, proline, total protein, total amino acids, and free amino acids were variably and significantly increased under water stress. Antioxidant enzyme activity levels, specifically ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase, varied among the genotypes and in response to severe water stress, offering further insights into adaptive responses. The eight genotypes analysed by use of 20 SCoT markers revealed 206 alleles and an average of 10.3 alleles per locus. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.336 to 0.676, clustering the pigeon pea genotypes into two major groups by the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) explained 43.11% of genetic variation and based on analysis of molecular variance, a high genetic variation (80%) within populations was observed, emphasizing the potential for genetic improvement. Among the eight genotypes studied, LM and KAT were drought tolerant and genetically diverse and therefore could be used as parents for developing drought tolerance in pigeon pea.

[Objective] In order to analyze the effects of DNA, primers, dNTPs and Taq DNA polymerase on the SCOT-PCR amplification results, the polymorphic primers were selected through the optimal SCOT-PCR reaction system to provide conditions for the study of molecular markers of the Costus speciosus resources. [Method] Unifactor test and orthogonal test methods were used. [Result] Taq had the greatest effect on SCOT-PCR amplification, followed by template DNA and dNTPs, and the last was primer. The optimal reaction system was 40 ng DNA, 0.30 µmol/L. primer, 0.25 mmol/L dNTPs,3.00 U Taq enzyme in the 20 system. The amplification products obtained by this system were clear and stable.8 primers with good polymorphism were selected from 40 SCoT primers, and the polymorphism bands accounted for 62.64%. [Conclusion] This study provided an important theoretical basis and technical support for further study of Costus speciosus with SCoT molecular marker technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns about food security worldwide have been raised due to the adverse impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity. Utilizing wild relatives of cultivated plants in breeding schemes is a potential solution to address the abovementioned challenges. Wild relatives refer to indigenous plant species that share genetic ancestry with recently cultivated plants. The capacity of plants to withstand abiotic stresses and enhance crop yield stability in cold and arid environments renders them a valuable prospective resource for breeding programs. Molecular markers are employed to assess the genetic variability of cultivated plants and their wild relatives under investigation. This study employed a set of five primers derived from ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) and SCoT (Start Codon Targeted) to assess comparative research between cultivated species and their wild relatives from three families: Apiaceae (Apium gravolens L., A. leptophyllum (Pers.) F.Muell., Daucus carota L.& D. litoralis Sm.), Asteraceae (Lactuca sativa L. & L. serriola L.) and Brassicaceae (B. oleracea L., Brassica tourneforttii Gouan., Raphanus sativus L. & R. raphanistrum L.). The ISSR technique yields approximately 206 bands, whereas the SCoT primers generate approximately 207 bands. The ISSR primers yielded 169 polymorphic bands, exhibiting a polymorphism rate of 82.04%, whereas the SCoT primers produced 169 polymorphic bands with a polymorphism rate of 81.64%. The Brassicaceae has been found to exhibit the highest resolving power (RP) of 48.25, as determined by ISSR. The primary objective of DNA barcoding is to create a communal database of DNA sequences that can be utilized to identify organisms and clarify their taxonomic classification. The findings indicate that the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions exhibit high efficacy as a DNA barcoding tool. Overall, the results obtained from two molecular markers and DNA barcoding analyses suggest a significant degree of genetic diversity and relatedness among the cultivated taxa and their wild relatives examined in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adverse effects of climate change and heightened soil salinity on agricultural production are definite. Halophytes serve to remove salts from soil effectively and economically. Consequently, the presented work has evaluated the impact of three halophytic species on salt-affected soil. The study used inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) and start codon targeted (SCoT) markers to examine the genetic variations. Field experiments progressed on salt-affected soils around Qarun Lake's coastal region for two consecutive seasons (2019 and 2020). The soil and plants underwent analysis using established methodologies. The findings indicated that after the fifth cutting for the three halophytic species, there was a drop in salinity indices, implying an improvement in soil quality assessments. On the other hand, six ISSR and 10 SCoT primers amplified 96 and 190 bands with 84.14% and 88.29% polymorphism, respectively. Additionally, they demonstrated numerous positive and negative markers linked to some phenotypic traits. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values were 0.51 (ISSRs) and 0.48 (SCoT), indicating that these markers were moderately informative. Heterozygosity index (He) values were 0.59 (ISSRs) and 0.57 (SCoT), implying a substantial degree of genetic diversity present within the studied species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionIndian senna (Senna alexandrina Mill.) (formerly Cassia angustifolia Vahl.) is an important medicinal plant of the family Fabaceae. The leaves and pods of Indian senna yield sennosides and rhein-based laxative. Adulteration of Indian senna is a serious issue as with most of the medicinal plants used in the Indian systems of traditional medicine. The bulk of dried leaves and pods of morphologically related species, such as Cassia fistula, Senna occidentalis, Senna sophera, and Senna tora, is usually mixed with those of the Indian senna, and the admixture is used in laxative-based formulations. The present investigation is a modest attempt at developing species-specific start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism- and CAAT-box-derived polymorphism (CBDP)-based sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers for the identification and authentication of Indian senna and four adulterant species (C. fistula, S. occidentalis, S. sophera, and S. tora species).MethodsIn this study, genomic DNA extracted from 44 accessions of Indian senna and four adulterant species was subjected to SCoT and CBDP PCR. The polymorphic amplicons were identified, eluted, ligated, and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5 α strain. PCR, restriction analysis, and DNA sequencing confirmed the transformed recombinant plasmid clones.ResultsPost-sequencing, the sequence of the primary SCoT and CBDP primers was analyzed and extended into the unique signature sequence of the concerned accessions. This resulted in development of one SCoT-44- and two CBDP-25-based SCARs. SCoT-44 SCAR produced a signature amplicon of 287 bp for accession DCA120, and CBDP-25 SCAR yielded signature amplicons of 575 and 345 bp for accessions DCA13 and DCA119, respectively. The developed SCAR markers were validated across 48 samples (44 accessions of Indian senna and 4 adulterant species) and produced distinct amplicons in Indian senna only, while no such amplicon was observed in the other four adulterant species.DiscussionThe information generated using these markers have been faithfully converted to single-locus, unequivocal, highly reproducible, and informative sequence-based SCAR markers. These markers will enable discrimination of individual plants on the basis of unique sequence-specific amplicons, which could be used as diagnostic markers to settle issues pertaining to the true identity of Indian senna.

Juglans regia L. is an edible fruit tree cultivated worldwide for its fruits and wood and as an urban tree. Globally, there is growing concern for preserving the genetic diversity of trees with high economic and ecological value. This study investigates the genetic diversity of J. regia in urban landscapes and assesses the quality of its walnut kernels as a local food product. An inventory of 150 trees from five populations in public green spaces in Lugoj, Caransebeș and Jupa, as well as two semi-natural hilly ecosystems in the Banat Region, was conducted. Molecular analyses showed that Directed Amplification of Minisatellite-region DNA (DAMD) markers were more effective than Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers, with a higher average polymorphism of 56.26%, compared to 49.44%. DAMD07 achieved 100% polymorphism and DAMD05 showed a strong balance between P.I.C. (0.35) and polymorphism (54.54%). Chemical analysis revealed the following contents in walnut kernels: protein (12.81% to 16.80%), lipids (60.39% to 69.08%), total polyphenols (5484.66 to 10,788.4 mg GAE/kg), copper (3.655 to 8.532 mg/kg), manganese (14.408 to 28.618 mg/kg), zinc (19.813 to 46.583 mg/kg), lead (1.204 to 2.27 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.03451 to 0.08065 mg/kg). These findings are critical for conservation efforts, urban forestry management and ensuring the quality and safety of walnut products derived from J. regia.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of salt stress on morphological, yield, biochemical, and molecular attributes of different barley genotypes. Ten genotypes were cultivated at Fayoum Research Station, El-Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, during two seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2022), and they were exposed to two different salt concentrations (tap water as a control and 8000 ppm). The results showed that genotypes and salt stress had a significant impact on all morphological and physiological parameters. The morphological parameters (plant height) and yield attributes (spike length, number of grains per spike, and grain yield per plant) of all barley genotypes were significantly decreased under salt stress as compared to control plants. Under salt stress, the total soluble sugars, proline, total phenol, total flavonoid, ascorbic acid, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium contents of the shoots of all barley genotypes significantly increased while the potassium content decreased. L1, which is considered a sensitive genotype was more affected by salinity stress than the tolerance genotypes L4, L6, L9, and Giza 138. SDS-PAGE of seed proteins demonstrated high levels of genetic variety with a polymorphism rate of 42.11%. All genotypes evaluated revealed significant variations in the seed protein biochemical markers, with new protein bands appearing and other protein bands disappearing in the protein patterns of genotypes cultivated under various conditions. Two molecular marker techniques (SCoT and ISSR primers) were used in this study. Ten Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) primers exhibited a total of 94 fragments with sizes ranging from 1800 base pairs to 100 base pairs; 29 of them were monomorphic, and 65 bands, with a polymorphism of 62.18%, were polymorphic. These bands contained 21 unique bands (9 positive specific markers and 12 negative specific markers). A total of 54 amplified bands with molecular sizes ranging from 2200 to 200 bp were produced using seven Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers; 31 of them were monomorphic bands and 23 polymorphic bands had a 40.9% polymorphism. The techniques identified molecular genetic markers associated with salt tolerance in barley crop and successfully marked each genotype with distinct bands. The ten genotypes were sorted into two main groups by the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on molecular markers and data at a genetic similarity coefficient level of 0.71.

El presente artículo analiza la inteligencia artificial generativa aplicando el modelo de construcción social de la tecnología, con el cual se observan los actores sociales afectados por esta tecnología con influencia para decidir su futuro. Los resultados obtenidos señalan que el éxito de la inteligencia artificial generativa no tiene un origen neutral, sino que está condicionado por los intereses de diferentes actores sociales. Este resultado, sin embargo, también indica que esta tecnología se encuentra en una fase de flexibilidad interpretativa. Es decir, que los grupos afectados por esta tecnología todavía están decidiendo su postura sobre la inteligencia artificial generativa y cómo podría ser en un futuro.

Rust fungi are devastating plant pathogens, and several Puccinia species have exerting substantial financial impacts on global barley cultivation. Fungicides are used on a large scale as an effective method for combating phytopathogenic fungi. The negative environmental impacts of fungicides are steadily escalating on a daily basis. Consequently, researchers are currently exploring alternative approaches to mitigate the use of fungicides, such as the utilization of plant extracts. This method has proven effective due to its incorporation of natural antifungal substances. Among the nine natural elicitors that were tested, the application of plant extracts on barley seedlings resulted in an increase in the incubation and latent periods of Puccinia hordei. These periods are integral components of partial and induced resistance, effectively mitigating the incidence of barley leaf rust disease by over 70% on mature plants. Similarly, the biochemical analyses demonstrated a notable augmentation in all the tested treatments’ overall phenolics and oxidative enzyme activities (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase). Random amplified polymorphic DNA (SCoT) test serves as a viable approach for assessing the impact of plant extracts and microorganisms on barley plants. The results obtained from this study indicate that the detection of DNA polymorphism through SCoT analysis holds a significant potential powerful tool to evaluate genetic changes compared with untreated plants although some of them tested displayed high similarities at the morphological reaction.

This article discusses generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) using the social construction of technology (SCOT) model, observing the social actors affected by this technology with influence to decide their future. The results indicate that the success of GenAI does not have a neutral origin but is conditioned by the interests of various social actors. However, it also suggests that this technology is in a phase of interpretive flexibility; that is, the affected groups are still deciding their position on GenAI and what it could be like. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parrotia persica (Hamamelidaceae) is a relict tree species restricted to the Hyrcanian district of Iran and Azerbaijan. Parrotia had a wide Eurasian distribution before the Pleistocene glaciations and the western Eurasian P. persica diverged from its East Asian sister species P. subaequalis during the Miocene. We investigated infraspecific genetic diversity and structure in 10 populations of P. persica using SCoT molecular markers. We determined a significant genetic diversity in the genomic DNA using AMOVA, which mainly to diversity among populations. Moreover, high levels of genetic differentiation (Gst), total genetic variation (Ht), and a low rate of gene flow were recorded between populations. In some populations, high levels of genetic polymorphism resulted from frequent mutations in their members. The Mantel test showed a significant correlation between genetic diversity and geographic distance. We found three genotype groups among the populations using STRUCTURE and clustering analyses. These genotypes did not conform to specific distribution patterns. Our results indicated that fragmented and small-sized populations, a flat rate of gene flow, a low rate of mutations, and the breeding system in Parrotia led to high levels of population differentiation along with a nearly uniform genetic structure in most populations. Three main diversity centers exist for Parrotia in Hyrcanian forests, which are of importance for conservation strategies. A comparison with previously published population genetic patterns in Hyrcanian relict tree species (Zelkova Spach and Pterocarya Nutt. ex Moq.) suggests that these have different genetic structures with higher rates of gene flow between populations. The detected genotypes can be used to generate new genotypes by cross pollination, and also they can cultivate as avenue trees and parks in urban areas around each genotype to conserve biodiversity in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bigfin squid is one of the economically important seafood resources in Vietnam's fisheries and the waters around Con Dao and Phu Quoc islands are two major fishing grounds where this species has been actively exploited. The start codon targeted polymorphism (SCoT) and CAAT box--derived polymorphism (CBDP) techniques were used to generate DNA fingerprinting data to analyze the genetic diversity, variation, and structure of the two populations in the waters surrounding Phu Quoc and Con Dao islands together with mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence data. Results Con Dao population possessed a higher diversity [expected heterozygosity (He) = 0.2254, Shannon index (I) = 0.3459, percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) = 80.14%, nucleotide diversity (π) = 0.0336, haplotype diversity (h) = 0.910 with 16 haplotypes] than Phu Quoc population (He = 0.1854, I = 0.2873, PPB = 70.38%, π = 0.0246, h = 0.838 with 14 haplotypes). The genetic diversity at species level in the investigated region was at level of He = 0.2169, I = 0.3399, PPB = 86.41, π = 0.0289, and h = 0.892 with 24 haplotypes. Based on DNA fingerprinting data, the pairwise genetic similarity coefficients among individuals of the Con Dao population were lower (average of 0.7977) than the Phu Quoc population (average of 0.8316). Based on mitochondrial COI data, the pairwise genetic distances among individuals of the Con Dao population were higher (average of 0.0361) than the Phu Quoc population (average of 0.0263). Gene differentiation (GST) between two investigated populations was 0.0316 and 0.0310 leading to the genetic distance was 0.0573 and 0.0213 and the gene flow between them was Nm = 8.2209 and 11.4700 migrants per generation among populations based on DNA fingerprinting and based on COI gene sequence data, respectively. Genetic variation within individuals of both populations (WP) played the key role in total genetic variation at species level in surveyed region. Conclusions For the bigfin reef squid species in the surveyed region, the Con Dao population had the higher genetic diversity than the Phu Quoc population, between them existed a low to moderate genetic differentiation and a genetic exchange via gene flow. The DNA fingerprinting data better revealed the genetic differentiation between the two surveyed populations while the mitochondrial COI gene sequence data could show the phylogenetic relationship among the surveyed individuals and the other from the sea regions in Southeast Asia. Based on the results obtained, fisheries management strategies are suggested toward the conservation and sustainable exploitation of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cacti are important in agricultural economies and one of the most popular horticultural plant groups. The genus Astrophytum is one of the most valuable and desirable cacti for growers and collectors around the world. By selecting the appropriate breeding methods to induce variations in combination with modern biotechnology tools for rapid change detection, it is possible to meet the challenges of the modern world in creating new variability in plants. However, there exists a lack of research concerning the impact of ionizing radiation on cacti. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of X-rays at different doses (0 Gy—control, 15, 20, 25, and 50 Gy) on the dynamics of seed germination in vitro, changes in the color of seedlings, biochemical changes in the content of metabolites and changes at the molecular level in Astrophytum spp. 'Purple'. A significant effect of X-rays on the induction of genetic variation was observed. Remarkably high polymorphism rates were observed, ranging from 59.09% for primer S12 to a full 100.0% for S3 and S8, as determined by the SCoT (Start-Codon-Targeted) marker. In addition, a large variation in the content of plant pigments (anthocyanins, carotenoids, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b) was noted. Additionally, discernible alterations in the color of the tested cactus seedlings, assessed by the RHSCC catalog, were attributed to the impact of ionizing radiation. These findings hold promise for the application of radiomutation breeding in acquiring new cactus cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In vitro culture age affects growth, antioxidant activity, reserpine yield, and genetic fidelity • Morphological variation and increase in antioxidant activity was detected in two-year-old culture • HPTLC revealed that least reserpine accumulation was detected from ex vitro plantlet • Two-year-old culture showed two-fold higher reserpine production than six-month-old ones • SCoT and ISSR marker-based analysis revealed minor genetic variation in two-year-old culture The present study was carried out on Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz., for the first time, to assess the impact of in vitro culture age on morphology, antioxidant activities, and reserpine production. Fresh in vitro multiple shoot culture was established in Murashige and Skoog semisolid medium fortified with 1 mg/l N6-benzyladenine, while another pre-established in vitro multiple shoot culture was maintained in similar medium for two years. Comparisons were made among two-year-old in vitro culture, six-month-old in vitro culture and six-month-old ex vitro plantlet, wherein six-month-old ex vitro plantlet recorded significantly longer shoots than in vitro cultures. The internode lengths of six-month-old ex vitro plantlet, six-month-old in vitro and two-year-old in vitro cultures were significantly different from each other. The leaf area of six-month-old ex vitro plantlet was highest, followed by that of the six-month-old in vitro and two-year-old in vitro cultures, respectively. Reduction of superoxide dismutase activity was recorded in six-month-old in vitro culture than six-month-old ex vitro plantlet, but was found to be comparable to two-year-old in vitro culture. Marginal increase in peroxidase activity was detected in two-year-old in vitro culture when compared to six-month-old in vitro culture. High-performance thin-layer chromatography analysis detected least reserpine accumulation from six-month-old ex vitro plantlet, whereas, a surge in reserpine was recorded from both six-month-old in vitro and two-year-old in vitro cultures. Eventually, inter simple sequence repeats and start codon targeted polymorphism primers revealed a 6.79% of genetic variation in two-year-old in vitro culture from six-month-old ex vitro plantlet and six-month-old in vitro cultures. The study revealed that for morphological traits and antioxidant activities, a small-scale effect was imposed by tissue culture condition for at least up to two years. However, for enhanced (two-fold) accumulation of reserpine, long-term in vitro culture would be of commercial importance but in the cost of certain extent of genetic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Basil (Ocimum sp.) exhibits significant morphological and genetic diversity. This variation provides an opportunity to identify novel traits that can be used in breeding programs to improve the productivity, quality, and disease resistance of basil plants. The integration of morphological and genetic data for basil varieties can improve our understanding of biodiversity, conservation, and breeding programs. Results In 2019, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on 25 basil landraces collected from 12 Egyptian governorates to explore their morphological and genetic diversity. Morphological characterization revealed variability in plant vigor, flower color, cyme shape, and leaf shape, indicating distinct growth patterns and potential for specific applications. Productivity and biochemical evaluation demonstrated significant variation in yield and oil distillation, identifying top-performing landraces L5, L11, and L24 that can be used in breeding programs to optimize performance and reduce environmental impact. The genetic diversity of the landraces was investigated using 11 SCoT primers revealed high levels of genetic diversity among landraces, with a wide range of polymorphism variation. The phylogenetic analysis identified two distinct clades, providing valuable insights into genetic diversity and relationships between different landraces. An interesting observation was made in the study, whereby L6 and L13, collected from Fayoum and Port-Said, respectively, were found to be the closest landraces. Following closely were L7 and L14, which were also collected from the same governorates. These findings have significant implications for the conservation of these landraces, as they may have evolved from similar species. Conclusions This study sheds light on the genetic diversity and relationships among 25 Egyptian basil landraces. Using SCoT markers, a high level of polymorphism was detected, indicating significant variation in the genetic makeup of the landraces. The study also revealed interesting observations regarding the relationships among the landraces, with some landraces appearing to have evolved from similar species. The phylogenetic analysis provided insights into the genetic relationships among the landraces, which can guide conservation efforts and breeding programs. Overall, this study provides valuable information for researchers, breeders, and farmers involved in the conservation, breeding, and utilization of basil genetic resources in Egypt.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of salt stress on morphological, yield, biochemical, and molecular attributes of different barley genotypes. Ten genotypes were cultivated at Fayoum Research Station, El-Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, during two seasons (2020–2021 and 2021–2022), and they were exposed to two different salt concentrations (tap water as a control and 8000 ppm). The results showed that genotypes and salt stress had a significant impact on all morphological and physiological parameters. The morphological parameters (plant height) and yield attributes (spike length, number of grains per spike, and grain yield per plant) of all barley genotypes were significantly decreased under salt stress as compared to control plants. Under salt stress, the total soluble sugars, proline, total phenol, total flavonoid, ascorbic acid, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium contents of the shoots of all barley genotypes significantly increased while the potassium content decreased. L1, which is considered a sensitive genotype was more affected by salinity stress than the tolerance genotypes L4, L6, L9, and Giza 138. SDS-PAGE of seed proteins demonstrated high levels of genetic variety with a polymorphism rate of 42.11%. All genotypes evaluated revealed significant variations in the seed protein biochemical markers, with new protein bands appearing and other protein bands disappearing in the protein patterns of genotypes cultivated under various conditions. Two molecular marker techniques (SCoT and ISSR primers) were used in this study. Ten Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) primers exhibited a total of 94 fragments with sizes ranging from 1800 base pairs to 100 base pairs; 29 of them were monomorphic, and 65 bands, with a polymorphism of 62.18%, were polymorphic. These bands contained 21 unique bands (9 positive specific markers and 12 negative specific markers). A total of 54 amplified bands with molecular sizes ranging from 2200 to 200 bp were produced using seven Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers; 31 of them were monomorphic bands and 23 polymorphic bands had a 40.9% polymorphism. The techniques identified molecular genetic markers associated with salt tolerance in barley crop and successfully marked each genotype with distinct bands. The ten genotypes were sorted into two main groups by the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on molecular markers and data at a genetic similarity coefficient level of 0.71. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faba bean is considered one of the most prominent grain legumes, with high protein content for human food consumption and livestock feed. The present study evaluated the nature of gene action and determined the genetic diversity among different populations of three crosses for resistance to foliar diseases at the molecular level. Analysis of variance exposed significant differences among the generations for all measured traits. Both dominance and additive gene effects were essential, but dominance genes, for the most part, exhibited greater effects than additive ones. This indicates an essential role for dominant genes alongside the additives one in inheriting such traits. The third cross (Marina × Giza 40) gave desired significant and positive (additive × additive) values for the number of pods/plant, seeds/plant, and seed yield/plant, in addition to desirable negative values for chocolate spot and rust characteristics. Furthermore, assessing the lines under study using seven SCoT primers disclosed three bands with recorded molecular weights of 260, 207, and 178 bp, generated by SCoT-1, SCoT-4, and SCoT-7 primers, respectively. These bands exist in the resistant parent (Marina), which could be attributed to the high-disease-resistance phenotypes, and they are absent in the sensitive parent (Giza 40) and other putative sensitive lines. Based on the molecular profiles and the genetic similarity between parents and the selected lines, the highest similarity value (0.91) was detected between Marina genotype and BC1, revealing a high foliar disease resistance. Meanwhile, Giza 40 (susceptible to foliar diseases) exhibited the maximum value (0.93) with F2. Additionally, cluster analysis based on genetic relationships was performed, and a high level of correlation between the results of PCR-based SCoT analysis and the foliar disease reactions was observed in the field. Consequently, this study concluded that SCoT markers created reliable banding profiles for evaluating genetic polymorphism among faba bean lines, which could be a foundation for developing an efficient breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black gram is one of the most important short duration grain legume, which contributes significantly towards nutritional security and environmental sustainability. The virus specific primers confirms the presence of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) in representative samples. A total of 27 cultivated and two wild species were found as highly resistant (HR) to MYMIV and validated through molecular markers. The start codon target (SCoT) markers analysis revealed that the SCoT loci, namely, SCoT‐4 (2200 bp), SCot‐9 (1150/ 1200 bp), SCoT‐15 (1150/1100 bp), SCoT‐16 (700 bp), SCoT‐24 (2500 bp), SCoT‐25 (700 bp), SCoT‐33 (900/1000 bp), and SCoT‐34 (600 bp), were found unique, able to distinguish HR and highly susceptible (HS) genotypes. Biochemical characterization and gene expression profiling revealed the higher expression of antioxidants and R‐genes just after pathogen inoculation indicated the activation of defence mechanism in both cultivated and its wild relatives, which modulates the resistant responses in cultivated and wild accessions. These information will be really helpful in accelerating resistance breeding in black gram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]