Association study of RS535296987 in TEX14 gene in azoospermiamen: RFLP and DNA sequencing

Azoospermia is one of the kinds of male infertility, with clinically the most severe phenotype as the natural conception cannot occur. It has been estimated to affect 0.1 to 1% of all men and 10-15% of men in infertile couples. TEX14 (Testis expressed 14, intercellular bridge forming factor) is a protein coding gene, which is located in human chromosome 17, (17q22). Tex14 gene appears to be crucial for perfect spermatogenesis and functional studies indicate the role of TEX14 in the intercellular bridges between developing male germ cells. The gene contains 32 exons and spans 137 kb. A heterogeneousresultis available on the association TEX14 gene and azoospermia. Therefore, it is suggested to investigate this gene in different populations. We analyzed about 200 men in two categories of azoospermia and healthy persons by RFLP as well as DNA sequencing to indicate an association between rs535296987 in TEX14 and its adjacent nucleotides to azoospermia. We found no significant association based on RFLP data and also by clustering of case and control specimens based on DNA sequencing. In general, a low level of nucleotide variability was observed in DNA sequences. Therefore, both eternity in the studied samples and low degree of mutations in this genetic region, may be the reason for heterogeneous reports on association of TEX14 and azoospermia.

Genotype by environment interaction for quality traits in chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

There is a need for identifying the specific environments for the selection of adapted and stable genotypes for quality traits in chilli pepper. Among these quality traits, pungency and coloring matter are the most important ones, which need to be in stable amounts in final products. Hence, this multi-environmental evaluation of chilli pepper genotypes was done in three distinct environments, to identify the suitable environments for selection and also suitable genotypes for specific quality traits. The study includes 43 chilli genotypes tested for three distinct growing conditions for nine different quality traits at Punjab Agricultural University and data was analyzed using Eberhart & Russell?s model and GGE Biplot analysis. The environmental effect accounts for more than 35% variation for the capsaicin in oleoresin and dry matter content. While the traits namely capsaicin content in red powder (3%) and capsaicin in green chili (4.73%) were least influenced by the environment. The contribution of G?E interactions was ? 25% for all the studied traits except ascorbic acid. The genotype AC 101 was best for capsaicin content in green and red chilli powder across the environments. The data generated from this study help to identify the stable and superior genotypes for quality traits in early, main and late-season planting.

Genetic diversity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae isolated from sweet cherry in southern and northern regions in Serbia

Bacterial canker and leaf spot caused by plant pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas is among the most destructive cherry diseases worldwide. Nowadays in Serbia, sweet cherry production significantly increased and the new plantations, mainly grown from imported planting material are being raised every year. During spring, 2018 and 2019, occurrence of bacterial canker and leaf spot symptoms was observed on a newly planted sweet cherry plantations in two localities, Zitoradja (Southern region) and Karavukovo (Northern region-Vojvodina). Typical P. syringae colonies were isolated on Nutrient Sucrose Agar supplemented with 5% sucrose (NSA). A total of fifteen isolates were selected and identified. Results of the LOPAT test (+---+) determined them to belong to fluorescent Pseudomonas Group Ia, while results of G+A+T-Ta- tests indicate presence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. Pathogenicity was confirmed on immature sweet and sour cherry fruitlets by forming of black, sunken lesions for all tested isolates. Genes syrB and syrD were successfully detected in all tested isolates. DNA sequencing using gapA, gltA, gyrB and rpoD housekeeping genes determined tested isolates to belong to P. s. pv. syringae using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) nucleotide BLAST. The Serbian isolates shared 99.47% to 100% (Zitoradja) and 99.38% to 100% (Karavukovo) identity with bacterium P. s. pv. syringae. Phylogenetic analysis grouped isolates from Zitoradja in one tree cluster, separate from the Karavukovo isolates, indicating presence of two genetically diverse groups of causal pathogen P. s. pv. syringae, obtained from two geographically distinct localities in Serbia. Phylogeographic analysis grouped isolates from Zitoradja in multilocus haplotype coded as REz and isolates originated from Karavukovo in multilocus haplotype coded as REk. Considering that during last few years P. syringae continuously occurs mainly in young sweet cherry plantations, where imported material is used for raising, health status check is recommended to be included as obligatory measure when nursery material is used from import.

Morphologic and cytoplasmic assessments of bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) landraces

Today climate change threatens to reduce crop yield and harming the food security. Local landraces have adaptation skills to shifting climatic conditions. Using of this local source in plant breeding programs becoming an alternative strategy. In this study, 97 landraces were collected to initiate the bulb onion breeding program eligible for the current trends. Collected materials were morphologically characterized using 21 descriptors, derived from UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants). Clustering which was conducted by the NTSYS (Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariate Analysis System) program using UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method of Arithmetic Averages) method, showed that the genetic similarity rate of the landraces was calculated between 0.06-0.96. Hybrid onion breeding program depends on the cytoplasmic-genic male sterility (CMS) system. Thus, the PCR-markers were applied to identify the cytoplasm types of the landraces. Among landraces N-cytoplasm was found in 78 accessions and S-cytoplasm was found in 19 accessions. At the end of the study, a qualified gene pool has been established consisted of characterized onion genotypes which will might be used in further breeding studies.

First evaluation of melon (Cucumis melo. L) landraces under high tunnel condition in Sistan

In order to evaluate a number of agro-morphological characteristics in 10 melon population, an experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out in two years (2017-2018) at high tunnel condition at Zahak Agriculture Research Station. The relationships among the related traits evaluated using by statistical methods. The combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among landraces in evaluated traits. A highly and significant correlation was observed between fruit width and yield (0.81**). Mean comparison using Duncan?s multiple rang test revealed that maximum yield belonged to landrace Zardeivanaki with 29160 kg/ha. Factor analysis was used for understanding the data structure and trait relations. The factor analysis showed that five factors explained 84% of the total variation among the traits. Therefore, the selection may be done according to the first component and it was helpful for a good breeding program for development of high yielding genotypes also landraces Dargazi, Zardeivanaki and Sabzsooski were placed very closely indicating that the responses of these landraces to be similar to high tunnel cultivation condition.

Evaluation of different growth hormones mediated callus induction and regeneration as well as the effect of colchicines, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and gamma radiation on some traits of Impatiens walleriana

Impatiens is an ornamental member of family Balsaminaceae. This plant mostly propagated by vegetative technique, which generally time wasting process. It is often multiplicities via seed but is barricaded by F1 seed sterility. In vitro culture of Impatiens walleriana has much significant function in fast proliferation with useful features and elicitation of healthful and disease-free plants. This experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of medium and different hormones on in vitro propagation of Impatiens walleriana by using a completely randomized design. MS medium was prepared along with various concentrations of BAP, TDZ and ZEA. Callus was induced and grew well in media supplemented with 0.5 mg/l NAA + 1 mg/l BAP. In order to indirect propagation, explants were cultured in same media containing BAP, ZEA and TDZ in combination with NAA. These treatments have ability to organogenesis. The results revealed that the control treatment had the lowest effect on traits including shoot percentage, number of shoots, number of leaves, shoot length, fresh and dry weight, and it lead to maximum proliferations in medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l NAA + 1 mg/l BAP. The highest root length and rooting percentage was observed in 0.5 mg/l IBA + 0.5 mg/l BAP. In addition, the effect of mutation agents was studied. Aseptic samples were treated with ?- irradiation, Ethyl Methane Sulfonate and colchicines at growth chamber. Treatments with 30 and 60 grey respectively had the lower survival rate, growth rate and polyploidy while colchicines with 0.1 and 0.2 had the highest rats. Regarding to these, the present technique illustrate an effective system for in vitro reproduction of Impatiens walleriana by hypocotyls cultures. In addition, colchicines proved to be effective in induction of polyploidy in this plantlet.

Detecting DNA polymorphism and genetic diversity in a wide pistachio germplasm by RAPD markers

Assessing the genetic diversity in the population is the prerequisite to start and develop plant breeding projects. Pistacia vera is considered as a commercial species of Pistacia genus. In Iran, Pistachio export is in the second place in terms of non-oil exports and in the first place among horticultural crops. Therefore, we collected and analyzed 11 pistachio genotype (Pistacia vera), from two provinces of Iran regions. Our aims were 1) to assess genetic diversity among some of Irainian pistachio cultivars 2) is there a correlation between species genetic and geographical distance? 3) Genetic structure of populations and taxa. We showed significant differences in quantitative morphological characters in plant species. Akbari cultivars depicted unbiased expected heterozygosity (UHe) in the range of 0.028. Shannon information was high (0.49) in Seifadini cultivars. Akbari cultivars howed the lowest value, 0.029. The observed number of alleles (Na) ranged from 0.261 to 2.700 in Shahpasand cultivars and Kalehghoochi cultivars. The effective number of alleles (Ne) was in the range of 1.021-1.800 for Akbari cultivars and Moosaabadi cultivars .Gene flow (Nm) was relatively low (0.38) in pistachio cultivars. The Mantel test showed correlation (r = 0.33, p=0.0001) between genetic and geographical distances. We reported high genetic diversity, which clearly shows the among some of Irainian pistachio cultivars can adapt to changing environments since high genetic diversity is linked to species adaptability. Present results highlighted the utility of RAPD markers and morphometry methods to investigate genetic diversity in pistachio cultivars.

Strong genetic differentiation of the Paracaryum species (Boraginaceae) detected by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR)

Species identification is fundamentally important within the fields of biology, biogeography, ecology and conservation. The genus Paracaryum belongs to tribe Cynoglosseae of the family Boraginaceae is a herbaceous genus including approximately 67 species, mostly distributed in the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region. In spite vast distribution of many Paracaryum species that grow in different habitats, there are not any available report on their genetic diversity, mode of divergence and patterns of dispersal. Therefore, we performed molecular (ISSR markers) of 98 accessions from 12 species of Paracaryum that were collected from different habitats. A set of 10 ISSR markers was used. The genetic distances were estimated based on Jaccard similarity coefficient and the descriptive statistics of populations for estimation of genetic parameters were also performed. A total of 90 polymorphic bands were obtained. The present study revealed that ISSR data can delimit the species. AMOVA and STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the species of Paracaryum belongs are genetically differentiated but have some degree of shared common alleles.

Molecular identification and genetic diversity in Hypericum L.: A high value medicinal plant using RAPD markers markers

Genus Hypericum (Guttiferae, Hypericoideae) is perennial, belonging to the Hypericaceae family, having 484 species in forms of trees, shrubs, and herbs, distributed in 36 taxonomic sections. No detailed Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) studies were conducted to study Hypericum genetic diversity. Therefore, we collected and analyzed six species from five provinces of Iran regions. Overall, seventy plant specimens were collected. Our aims were 1) to assess genetic diversity among Hypericum species 2) is there a correlation between species genetic and geographical distance? 3) Genetic structure of populations and taxa. We showed significant differences in quantitative morphological characters in plant species. H. dogonbadanicum depicted unbiased expected heterozygosity (UHe) in the range of 0.10. Shannon information was high (0.32) in H. perforaturm. H. dogonbadanicum showed the lowest value, 0.17. The observed number of alleles (Na) ranged from 0.22 to 0.53 in H. dogonbadanicum and H. elongaturn. Gene flow (Nm) was relatively low (0.87) in Hypericum. The Mantel test showed correlation (r = 0.45, p=0.0001) between genetic and geographical distances. We reported high genetic diversity, which clearly shows the Hypericum species can adapt to changing environments since high genetic diversity is linked to species adaptability. Present results highlighted the utility of RAPD markers and morphometry methods to investigate genetic diversity in Hypericum species.

From neolithic to late modern period: Brief history of wheat

History of wheat cultivation is as long as history of civilization. Adaptation of nature, animal domestication and plant cultivation, enabled transition from nomadism to sedentism 12,000 years ago, portraying the rise of Homo sapiens of today. First civilization, Mesopotamia aroused around 4000 B.C.E, in the riverbanks of Tiger and Euphrates, where carbon-14 dating revealed that tetraploid wild emmer (Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccoides) was grown. Due to modest cultivation requirements and high nutritional value, wheat quickly spread from its centre of origin throughout the world. Generations of farmers have chosen seeds from plants with best architecture, adapted to local conditions for sowing, striving toward constant improvement of yields. For centuries agricultural production was based on locally adapted wheat varieties of great genetic diversity. Agriculture completely changed its course in mid-XX century as a result of Green Revolution, introduction of high-yielding cereal varieties, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, irrigation and mechanization replacing traditional techniques. The flourishing of agriculture has drastically changed the course of agricultural development and global society. Improvement of agricultural techniques by integrating scientific advancements and knowledge to assimilate environmental factors has tripled wheat yields in last 50 years. Today, wheat, maize and rice, represent staple food for humanity.