scholarly journals Analysis of the quinoa genome reveals conservation and divergence of the flowering pathways

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka A. Golicz ◽  
Ursula Steinfort ◽  
Hina Arya ◽  
Mohan B. Singh ◽  
Prem L. Bhalla
Keyword(s):  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Chenopodium Quinoa ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Flowering Genes ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Grain Crop ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Flowering Regulation ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Modern Breeding

Abstract Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a grain crop grown in the Andes renowned as a highly nutritious plant exhibiting tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought, cold and high salinity. Quinoa grows across a range of latitudes corresponding to differing day lengths, suggesting regional adaptations of flowering regulation. Improved understanding and subsequent modification of the flowering process, including flowering time, ensuring high yields, is one of the key factors behind expansion of cultivation zones and goals of the crop improvement programs worldwide. However, our understanding of the molecular basis of flower initiation and development in quinoa is limited. Here, we use a computational approach to perform genome-wide identification and analysis of 611 orthologues of the Arabidopsis thaliana flowering genes. Conservation of the genes belonging to the photoperiod, gibberellin and autonomous pathways was observed, while orthologues of the key genes found in the vernalisation pathway (FRI, FLC) were absent from the quinoa genome. Our analysis indicated that on average each Arabidopsis flowering gene has two orthologous copies in quinoa. Several genes including orthologues of MIF1, FT and TSF were identified as homologue-rich genes in quinoa. We also identified 459 quinoa-specific genes uniquely expressed in the flower and/or meristem, with no known orthologues in other species. The genes identified provide a resource and framework for further studies of flowering in quinoa and related species. It will serve as valuable resource for plant biologists, crop physiologists and breeders to facilitate further research and establishment of modern breeding programs for quinoa.

scholarly journals The Role and Contribution of Plant Breeding and Plant Biotechnology to Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

Afrika Focus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kyetere ◽  
E. Okogbenin ◽  
J. Okeno ◽  
K. Sanni ◽  
J. Munyaradzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Green Revolution ◽  
Plant Biotechnology ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Modern Breeding

Africa’s economy is driven by agriculture, a sector that constitutes 32% of the continent’s GDP. The ongoing Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) in Africa hinges on a system change (from subsistence farming to agribusiness) approach that explores high productivity to strengthen the African economy. During the “Green Revolution” period, increased global yields of cereal crops were achieved through the interactions of breeding and agronomy. However, in the face of current challenges, such as climate change and need for new market niches, there is an increasing exigency to explore modern plant breeding (including biotechnology) to develop new varieties with the capacity for high yields in reduced chemical-input systems and with the genetic diversity needed to maintain yield stability in Africa ́s fluctuating climatic conditions. Biotechnology has significantly shortened the time required for the development of new cultivars, varieties and hybrids. Modern breeding tools include Double Haploid technology, marker assisted breeding, genomics, genetic engineering and genome editing. It is these tools that help accelerate the development of market responsive varieties needed for sustainable agriculture in Africa that will be highlighted. KEY WORDS: TECHNOLOGY, CROP IMPROVEMENT, GENETICS, MODERN BREEDING TOOLS.

scholarly journals Characterization of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) accessions for the saponin content in Mediterranean environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuditta De Santis ◽  
Carmen Maddaluno ◽  
Tiziana D’Ambrosio ◽  
Agata Rascio ◽  
Michele Rinaldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chenopodium Quinoa ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Breeding Goal ◽  
Total Saponin ◽  
Saponin Content ◽  
Superior Genotypes ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Selection Of

Seeds of the Andean seed crop quinoa (<em>Chenopodium</em> <em>quinoa</em> Willd.) usually contain saponins in the seed coat. Saponins give a bitter taste sensation and are a serious antinutritional factor, therefore selection of sweet genotypes with a very low saponin content in the seeds is a main breeding goal. The objective of this work was to identify, within germplasm lines of quinoa, previously selected for production and quality traits, superior genotypes low in saponins. For this purpose the total saponin content was determined in seeds of eight lines of quinoa and one variety (cv. Regalona Baer) as a control, previously evaluated over a 2-year period in a Southern Italy environment. Significant variation for the saponin content was observed among the evaluated genotypes. The total saponin content ranged from 0.10 to 1.80 %, with the Q12 genotype showing the lowest value, suggesting the possibility of selecting genotypes "sweet" to be used in subsequent genetic improvement programs. Based on these results, in fact, it was possible to identify, among the accessions previously selected, particularly suitable for growing in Mediterranean area, some genotypes with high yields of seed (2.5 the<sup>-1</sup>, on average), high protein (17%, on average) and fibers (13%, on average) and low content in saponins (0.57%, on average).

scholarly journals Genomics and breeding innovations for enhancing genetic gain for climate resilience and nutrition traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pallavi Sinha ◽  
Vikas K. Singh ◽  
Abhishek Bohra ◽  
Arvind Kumar ◽  
Jochen C. Reif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Heritability Estimation ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Statistical Designs ◽  
Novel Alleles

Abstract Key message Integrating genomics technologies and breeding methods to tweak core parameters of the breeder’s equation could accelerate delivery of climate-resilient and nutrient rich crops for future food security. Abstract Accelerating genetic gain in crop improvement programs with respect to climate resilience and nutrition traits, and the realization of the improved gain in farmers’ fields require integration of several approaches. This article focuses on innovative approaches to address core components of the breeder’s equation. A prerequisite to enhancing genetic variance (σ2g) is the identification or creation of favorable alleles/haplotypes and their deployment for improving key traits. Novel alleles for new and existing target traits need to be accessed and added to the breeding population while maintaining genetic diversity. Selection intensity (i) in the breeding program can be improved by testing a larger population size, enabled by the statistical designs with minimal replications and high-throughput phenotyping. Selection priorities and criteria to select appropriate portion of the population too assume an important role. The most important component of breeder′s equation is heritability (h2). Heritability estimates depend on several factors including the size and the type of population and the statistical methods. The present article starts with a brief discussion on the potential ways to enhance σ2g in the population. We highlight statistical methods and experimental designs that could improve trait heritability estimation. We also offer a perspective on reducing the breeding cycle time (t), which could be achieved through the selection of appropriate parents, optimizing the breeding scheme, rapid fixation of target alleles, and combining speed breeding with breeding programs to optimize trials for release. Finally, we summarize knowledge from multiple disciplines for enhancing genetic gains for climate resilience and nutritional traits.

Proteomics Variation in Nigella Sativa L. (Rananculaceae) Germplasm

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-294
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sajjad Iqbal ◽  
Abdul Ghafoor
Keyword(s):  
Euclidean Distance ◽  
Nigella Sativa ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Band Formation ◽  
First Report ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Genetic Pattern ◽  
Specific Variation ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Single Seeds

Study revealed a first report of proteomics variation in Nigella sativa L. based on analyzing 32 accessions through SDS-PAGE. Three prominent regions along eight subunits were identified. Intra specific variation was observed low whereas the sharpness of bands was high between first and second regions. It was noted that in second region there was no clear evidence of band formation in N. sativa. Prominent and sharp protein peptide bands were recorded in four accessions, namely PK-020561, PK-020609, PK-020620 and PK-020646. Further investigation of single seeds showed almost similar genetic pattern within the single accession. Five clusters were formed on the basis of Euclidean distance. Cluster-I & II contain 1, 1 accession each, likewise Cluster-III and C-IV contain 2, 2 accessions whereas Cluster-V was found diversified as consisted of 26 accessions. Two accessions PK-020878 and PK-020877 were recommended for polymorphism and crop improvement programs. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(2): 289-294, 2021 (June)

Multivariate analyses of indigenous bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces of Oman

2021 ◽  
pp. 483
Author(s):  
Ali Hussain Al Lawati ◽  
Saleem Kaseemsaheb Nadaf ◽  
Nadiya Abubakar Al Saady ◽  
Saleh Ali Al Hinai ◽  
Almandhar Almamari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Bread Wheat ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
D Values

Oman is endowed with enormous diversity of important food crops that have global significance for food security and has ancient history of cultivation of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with its divergent landraces, which are useful in crop improvement. 55 indigenous Omani accessions conserved at the USDA were evaluated in the winter season (November to April) of the years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 on loamy soil under sprinklers in augmented design with 5 check varieties in 5 replications following crop husbandry practices as per national recommendations using 9 quantitative (descriptors) and 6 qualitative traits (anthocyanin pigmentation on plant parts). The data on traits were subjected not only for PC values and D values after varimax rotation through Kaiser normalization in Principal Component Analysis (PCA) but also for Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC). The results indicated that indigenous bread wheat accessions were significantly different (p>0.05) for all the quantitative traits except number of tillers. The multivariate analyses led to formation of four diverse clusters from PCA analyses corresponding to four quadrants of bi-plot graphs and three clusters from AHC analysis corresponding to main clades of dendrogram. The parents were selected from common accessions of distinct clusters in all the multivariate analyses for hybridization for improving characters of growth for higher yield or productivity with pigmentation on one or two plant parts useful for DUS test of varieties. The indigenous bread wheat landraces / accessions were genetically diverse and have potential for use in national crop improvement programs for earliness and higher grain productivity with distinct identification markers.

scholarly journals The Role of EjSVPs in Flower Initiation in Eriobotrya japonica

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (23) ◽  
pp. 5933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Jiang ◽  
Jiangrong Peng ◽  
Zhike Zhang ◽  
Shoukai Lin ◽  
Shunquan Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Eriobotrya Japonica ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Mads Box ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Flowering Regulation ◽  
Responsive Element

Flowering plants have evolved different flowering habits to sustain long-term reproduction. Most woody trees experience dormancy and then bloom in the warm spring, but loquat blooms in the cold autumn and winter. To explore its mechanism of flowering regulation, we cloned two SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) homologous genes from ‘Jiefanzhong’ loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), namely, EjSVP1 and EjSVP2. Sequence analysis revealed that the EjSVPs were typical MADS-box transcription factors and exhibited a close genetic relationship with other plant SVP/DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-BOX (DAM) proteins. The temporal and spatial expression patterns showed that EjSVP1 and EjSVP2 were mainly expressed in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) after the initiation of flowering; after reaching their highest level, they gradually decreased with the development of the flower until they could not be detected. EjSVP1 expression levels were relatively high in young tissues, and EjSVP2 expression levels were relatively high in young to mature transformed tissues. Interestingly, EjSVP2 showed relatively high expression levels in various flower tissues. We analyzed the EjSVP promoter regions and found that they did not contain the C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element. Finally, we overexpressed the EjSVPs in wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 and found no significant changes in the number of rosette leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana; however, overexpression of EjSVP2 affected the formation of Arabidopsis thaliana flower organs. In conclusion, EjSVPs were found to play an active role in the development of loquat flowering. These findings may provide a reference for exploring the regulation mechanisms of loquat flowering and the dormancy mechanisms of other plants.

Characterization of Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) gene homoeologs in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Genome ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 647-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Maughan ◽  
T. B. Turner ◽  
C. E. Coleman ◽  
D. B. Elzinga ◽  
E. N. Jellen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salt Tolerance ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Genomic Sequence ◽  
Chenopodium Quinoa ◽  
Fish Analysis ◽  
Cdna Sequences ◽  
Grain Crop ◽  
High Level ◽  
Salt Overly Sensitive

Salt tolerance is an agronomically important trait that affects plant species around the globe. The Salt Overly Sensitive 1 (SOS1) gene encodes a plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter that plays an important role in germination and growth of plants in saline environments. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a halophytic, allotetraploid grain crop of the family Amaranthaceae with impressive nutritional content and an increasing worldwide market. Many quinoa varieties have considerable salt tolerance, and research suggests quinoa may utilize novel mechanisms to confer salt tolerance. Here we report the cloning and characterization of two homoeologous SOS1 loci (cqSOS1A and cqSOS1B) from C. quinoa, including full-length cDNA sequences, genomic sequences, relative expression levels, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, and a phylogenetic analysis of SOS1 genes from 13 plant taxa. The cqSOS1A and cqSOS1B genes each span 23 exons spread over 3477 bp and 3486 bp of coding sequence, respectively. These sequences share a high level of similarity with SOS1 homologs of other species and contain two conserved domains, a Nhap cation-antiporter domain and a cyclic-nucleotide binding domain. Genomic sequence analysis of two BAC clones (98 357 bp and 132 770 bp) containing the homoeologous SOS1 genes suggests possible conservation of synteny across the C. quinoa sub-genomes. This report represents the first molecular characterization of salt-tolerance genes in a halophytic species in the Amaranthaceae as well as the first comparative analysis of coding and non-coding DNA sequences of the two homoeologous genomes of C. quinoa.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Effect of Brassinolide in Brassica juncea Leaves under Drought Stress in Field Conditions

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 514
Author(s):  
Naveen Naveen ◽  
Nisha Kumari ◽  
Ram Avtar ◽  
Minakshi Jattan ◽  
Sushil Ahlawat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Brassica Juncea ◽  
Antioxidant System ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Enzymatic Antioxidants ◽  
Stress Indicators ◽  
Enhanced Production

Drought stress is considered to be a major factor responsible for reduced agricultural productivity, because it is often linked to other major abiotic stresses, such as salinity and heat stress. Understanding drought-tolerance mechanisms is important for crop improvement. Moreover, under drought conditions, it is possible that growth regulators are able to protect the plants. Brassinosteroids not only play a regulatory role in plant growth, but also organize defense mechanisms against various tresses. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of brassinolide on physio-biochemical amendment in two contrasting cultivars (drought-tolerant RH 725, and drought-sensitive RH 749) of Brassica juncea under drought stress. Two foliar sprayings with brassinolide (10 and 20 mg/L) were carried out in both cultivars (RH 725 and RH 749) at two stages—i.e., flower initiation, and 50% flowering—under stress conditions. The results clearly revealed that the activities of antioxidative enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants (carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and proline) increased significantly in RH 725 at 50% flowering, whereas 20 mg/L of brassinolide showed the most promising response. The different oxidative stress indicators (i.e., hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage) decreased to a significant extent at 20 mg/L of brassinolide spray in RH 725 at 50% flowering. This study indicates that brassinolide intensifies the physio-biochemical attributes by improving the antioxidant system and photosynthetic efficiency in RH 725 at 50% flowering. It is assumed that enhanced production of proline, improvement of the antioxidant system, and reduction in the amount of stress indicators impart strength to the plants to combat the stress conditions.

scholarly journals Population structure and genetic diversity analysis in Sali (Oryza sativa) rice germplasm of Assam using microsatellite markers

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-286
Author(s):  
Sandhani Saikia ◽  
Pratap Jyoti Handique ◽  
Mahendra K Modi
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Ssr Markers ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Diversity Analysis ◽  
Rice Cultivars ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Information Index ◽  
Improvement Programs

Genetic diversity is the source of novel allelic combinations that can be efficiently utilized in any crop improvement program. To facilitate future crop improvement programs in rice, a study was designed to identify the underlying genetic variations in the Sali rice germplasms of Assam using SSR markers. The 129 SSR markers that were used in the study amplified a total of 765 fragments with an average of 5.93 alleles per locus. The Shannon's Information Index was found to be in the range from 0.533 to 1.786. The Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) fell into the range from 0.304 to 0.691 with a mean value of 0.55. The overall FST value was found to be 0.519 that indicated the presence of genetic differentiation amongst the genotypes used in the study. The Sali population was divided into two clusters. The information obtained from the present study will facilitate the genetic improvement of Sali rice cultivars.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document