A cluster of Ankyrin and Ankyrin-TPR repeat genes is associated with panicle branching diversity in rice

The number of grains per panicle is an important yield-related trait in cereals which depends in part on panicle branching complexity. One component of this complexity is the number of secondary branches per panicle. Previously, a GWAS site associated with secondary branch and spikelet numbers per panicle in rice was identified. Here we combined gene capture, bi-parental genetic population analysis, expression profiling and transgenic approaches in order to investigate the functional significance of a cluster of 6 ANK and ANK-TPR genes within the QTL. Four of the ANK and ANK-TPR genes present a differential expression associated with panicle secondary branch number in contrasted accessions. These differential expression patterns correlate in the different alleles of these genes with specific deletions of potential cis-regulatory sequences in their promoters. Two of these genes were confirmed through functional analysis as playing a role in the control of panicle architecture. Our findings indicate that secondary branching diversity in the rice panicle is governed in part by differentially expressed genes within this cluster encoding ANK and ANK-TPR domain proteins that may act as positive or negative regulators of panicle meristem’s identity transition from indeterminate to determinate state.

Investigation of Cotton Germplasm for Genetic Divergence Regarding Yield Related Trait Using Principal Component Analysis

Background: Cotton is a vital fiber and cash crop in Pakistan. Genetic diversity of a germplasm play an important role for cotton breeding. One hundred and two germplasm of upland cotton were investigated for genetic divergence regarding yield related attributes using principal component analysis. The research was carried out in RCB design with 2 replications. Experiment data was recorded on various qualitative and quantitative parameters and were subjected to principal components analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis.Results: PCA result showed that only four components were considered on account of their eigenvalue greater than 1 which contributed 65% to the total variability. Score plot showed that the suncrop-6, tipu-9, TJ-max, Deebal, CRIS-543, TH-20, Tahafuz-7, Eagle, BS-80, IUB-69, BH-221, NIAB-1048, and NIAB BT-2 showed the vertex of polygon and resulted as most divergent germplasm. Similarly cluster analysis also categorized the yield related traits into 5 main cluster. Cluster-1 contain 20 germplasm, cluster-II contain 16, and cluster-III, cluster-IV, and cluster-V comprise 13, 16, and 37 germplasm, respectively.Conclusion: Based on results, it was recommended that these genetically diverse germplasm might be used as parents that could be utilized in upcoming breeding programs.