​SSR Based Genetic Diversity Analysis in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Genotypes

Background: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an important seed spice crop widely grown all over the world. In India, the state of Rajasthan is known for fenugreek production and productivity in the world. A concerted assessment of genetic variability among the germplasm accession is essential for breeding new superior varieties. Molecular markers such as AFLP, RAPD, ISSR, SSR, SCAR, SCoT, SRAP have become for the characterization of the germplasm rapidly and accurately. The present study aimed to characterize 20 elite fenugreek genotypes using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to assess the existing genetic diversity of this medicinal crop. Methods: The present study was carried out at the Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Total genomic DNA was isolated from old leaves using the CTAB method (Doyle and Doyle, 1990). Further, PCR based genetic diversity was analyzed with using 50 SSR primer pairs. Dendrogram was constructed using NTSYSpc version 2.2 and clustering of the genotypes was done. Result: Twenty genotypes of fenugreek were assessed for genetic diversity analysis using SSR markers. Out of 50 markers 43 primer pairs produced 130 alleles with an average of 84.60% polymorphism. Jaccard’s similarity coefficient lied between and 0.39 to 0.82. Based on UPGMA clustering, a dendrogram consisting of five main clusters was generated with wide variability among the studied genotypes. These diverse genotypes so identified could be gainfully utilized in the fenugreek breeding programme.

Complete genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 strains: A pilot survey in Palestine reveals spike mutation H245N

Objectives SARS-CoV-2, severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, is an RNA virus that emerged from China sweeping the globe in the form of a pandemic that became an international public health concern. This pilot study aimed to describe the genetic variation and molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Palestine in fall 2020. Results To achieve these aims, whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, phylogenetic analysis, haplotype networking and genetic diversity analysis were performed. These analyses revealed a unique spike mutation H245N that has never been reported before. The phylogenetic analysis depicted that three clusters existed in Palestinian SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, in which cluster-I comprised the majority of clusters by 90%. Congruently, the haplotype network analysis depicted the same three clusters with a total of 39 haplotypes. The genetic diversity analysis showed that Cluster-I is highly diverse as confirmed by statistically significant mutation rate indices, Tajima’s D and Fu-Li’s-F tests (− 2.11 and 2.74, respectively), highest number of mutations (Eta = 120), highest number of haplotypes (h = 17), and highest average number of nucleotide differences between any two sequences (S = 118). The study confirmed the high genetic diversity among the Palestinian of SARS-CoV-2 which possessed high number of mutations including one which was reported for the first time.

Genetic Diversity Analysis by D2 Analysis in Fine Scented Genotypes of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The present investigation on “Diversity analysis by D2 analysis in fine scented genotypes of rice (Oryza sativa L.)” was used to investigate the diversity among 40 fine scented genotypes obtained from the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya in Raipur. The current studies was conducted at research cum instructional farm, IGKV, RMD Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh. The experiment was conducted in RBD with purpose to characterized 40 genotypes of rice along with 4 checks viz. CG Sugandhitbhog, CG Devbhog, Indira Sugandhit Dhan-1 and Dubrajsel 1 for diversity. Based on cluster analysis, the genotypes were grouped into 5 clusters in which cluster I was the largest consistin of 29 genotypes. While cluster IV & V were the smallest with only a single genotypes; each. Maximum intra cluster distance was found in the cluster II, Which comprises only 5 genotypes. The most divergent clusters observed were cluster III & V. The minimum cluster distance was recorded between cluster I & III.