Rubus idaeus L. fruit nutrients are affected by different growing technologies

The biochemical compounds of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruits cultivated with conventional growing technology and on a nutrient substrate were studied during 2019–2020 at the Federal Horticultural Research Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery, Moscow, Russia. The antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, and ash constituents of the fruits and the metabolites of the alcoholic extract of the raspberries were determined. The effect of growing technologies, i.e., conventional vs. nutrient substrate, on the accumulation of macro- and microelements in raspberry fruits was established. In red raspberries grown on nutrient substrate, the antioxidant activity decreased by 25 times (aqueous extract) and 1.5 times (alcoholic extract). The K and Na contents and Se contents of red raspberries grown on nutrient substrate were 1.5 and 3 times higher than those of raspberries of grown with conventional technology. Raspberries grown with conventional technology contained 2 times more Ca, Ni, and Mn and 7.4 times more Fe than raspberries grown on nutrient substrate. The total amount of elements in raspberries grown through soilless cultivation was 5.5% higher than that in berries grown conventionally. A total of 48 compounds were identified in the alcoholic extracts, and only 29 substances were found in berries grown on a nutrient substrate. Sugar and citric acid constituted the largest share of red raspberry components. Fructose and turanose disaccharide synthesis in raspberries grown on nutrient substrate was 20% higher than that in conventionally grown raspberries. A total of 48 organic compounds with different biological activities were identified. They included five substances with antimicrobial activity, three phenolic substances, eight organic acids, four sugar acids, nine amino acids, and 19 sugars and their derivatives. At the same time, 42 compounds were found in raspberries grown with traditional technology, and 21 compounds were identified in raspberry fruits grown on nutrient substrate. Three fatty acids, namely, ɑ-linoleic acid (polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid), palmitic acid, and stearic acid (saturated fatty acid), along with cinnamic acid, shikimic acid, and chrysin were found in berries grown conventionally.

Expression of some salt tolerance genes isolated from Egyptian gray mangrove (Avicennia marina)

Mangroves are well-adapted halophytes that thrive in coastal saline environments. They live under difficult environmental conditions, such as high light intensity and external salt concentrations, as well as low-oxygen environments, such as water-logged muck, that are typically inappropriate for the survival of other plants. Salinity is a major abiotic factor that affects plant growth, productivity, and dispersal in tropical and semitropical intertidal areas. Furthermore, it affects approximately 20% of all cultivable land and 50% of all irrigated land on the planet. Mangroves have developed a sophisticated salt filtration mechanism and a complicated root structure to withstand salty water exposure and tidal movement. The expression patterns of five salt tolerance genes (amFer1, amDhna, amSod1, amCat1, and amUbc2) in the Egyptian gray mangrove (Avicennia marina Forssk.) grown under different environmental conditions in South Sinai protectorates (Nabq, Ras Mohamed, Safaga, and Wadi El-Gemal), Egypt, were investigated in this study. This study aimed to assess and examine the genetic behavior of mangroves in response to salinity by using quantitative real-time PCR. Findings revealed differences in the expression patterns of the investigated genes under various conditions, showing that salinity influences plant genetic response. Ferritin gene expression was high in all locations, indicating that ferritin represents an essential component of the mangrove response mechanisms.

Drought effects on the mineral composition of the leaves of Actinidia species

Against the background of global climate change, drought stress has become one of the environmental limiting factors that can significantly influence the growth and development of crop plants. Drought stress conditions also cause changes in plant physiological and metabolic processes. The influence of soil drought on the mineral composition of the leaves of two Actinidia species with С3-type photosynthesis, namely, Actinidia argutа (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. cultivar ‘Taezhny Dar’ and Actinidia kolomikta (Maxim. & Rupr.) Maxim. cultivar ‘Narodnaya’, was studied through energy dispersive spectrometry. The investigations were carried out during 2020 to 2021 at the Department of Genofonde and Bioresources of Plants, Federal Scientific Center for Horticulture, Moscow. The present research revealed that actinidia leaves contained the following major elements: K (11.19 mass% to 13.84 mass%), Ca (7.83% to 12.08 mass%), Cl (6.20 mass% to 7.33 mass%), and Mg (2.98 mass% to 3.44 mass%). Low values were recorded for Mo (1.19 mass% to 4.49 mass%) and P (0.83 mass% to 1.25 mass%). In both species, the mineral elements K and Ca were present at high levels. A positive correlation was observed between Mg–P, K–Mn, Mn–Se, Cu-Se, P–Si, Na–Mo, and Si–Mn in the leaves of A. argutа and between Cl–Ca, Mo; P–Si, Mo; and K–Ca in the leaves of A. kolomikta. Under stress conditions, the ratios of K/Ca and K/P declined to 0.9 and 6.3, respectively, whereas those of K/Cl, K/Mg, and K/Mo increased to 3.8, 4.4, and 2.7, respectively. The present studies confirmed that actinidia leaves contained high concentrations of minerals, especially K, Ca, P, and Mg, and that the accumulation of mineral elements in actinidia plant leaves under drought conditions varied depending on the species.

Analysis of the genetic diversity of Phalaenopsis orchids with single nucleotide polymorphisms and snap markers derived from the Pto gene

The Pto gene is a plant gene that has been reported to be involved in resistance to bacterial pathogens. A partial genomic sequence corresponding to Pto (~449 bp) was isolated from 16 species and four hybrids of Phalaenopsis during 2017 at the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia. Multiple sequence analysis was performed to find putative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and design the corresponding single nucleotide-amplified polymorphism (SNAP) markers, which were in turn used to estimate the genetic diversity of 25 Phalaenopsis species. In total, 20 SNPs, of which 14 were nonsynonymous, were identified from the partial Pto sequences. Eighteen SNAP primers were then developed based on these 14 nonsynonymous and four synonymous SNPs. Validation results showed that 15 SNAP primers showed a polymorphism information content exceeding 0.3, suggesting the existence of more than two alleles for this locus. Upon their use, the SNAP markers described 86% of all interspecies variability. The Pto 52, Pto 349, Pto 229, and Pto 380 SNAP markers were very informative in the determination of genetic diversity. Notably, the existence of these nonsynonymous SNPs implied the possibility of functional changes within the amino acid sequence of the putative PTO protein. Thus, the resulting differences in the activity of the PTO protein may be used to breed tolerance to pathogen infection. Further work may be required to establish a functional link between tolerance to pathogens and the presence of Pto-SNAP markers in Phalaenopsis properly.

Chili pepper genotypes assay approach for resistance to Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii), is one of the most devastating insect pests for chili pepper that damages the crop and transmits several viruses. Thus far, there is no commercial chili cultivar with effective resistance to cotton aphids (CA). The present study aimed to develop a reliable and practical screening protocol in chili peppers for aphids resistance in the tropical areas. Three no-choice test methods i.e., seedling cage, detached leaf, and clip cage tests have been developed. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in a greenhouse at the Gunung Putri, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Seven chili pepper genotypes belong to the species Capsicum annuum L. provided by the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia were used in this study. Chili pepper resistance to aphids was observed through the number of aphids progeny, and aphids fecundity among the genotypes. Two chili genotypes consistently showed low infestation while other genotypes showed the highest infestation with three screening methods. All the methods have a high heritability value (90%–91%), indicating that the evaluated chili genotypes could be used to determine effective screening methods. The correlation between the detached leaf and clip cage tests was significant (r = 0.84, P ≤ 0.05). Therefore, the clip cage test could be used as a reliable and practical screening test for the assay of chili peppers resistance to CA infestation. These information will be helpful in the development of aphid resistant cultivars in the future.

Genotype by environment interaction analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield under rain-fed conditions in Zambia

Understanding genotype by environment interaction (GEI) is important for crop improvement because it aids in the recommendation of cultivars and the identification of appropriate production environments. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of GEI for the grain yield of wheat grown under rain-fed conditions in Zambia by using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model. The study was conducted in 2015/16 at Mutanda Research Station, Mt. Makulu Research Station and Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) in Chibombo. During2016/17, the experiment was performed at Mpongwe, Mt. Makulu Research Station and GART Chibombo, Zambia. Fifty-five rain-fed wheat genotypes were evaluated for grain yield in a 5 × 11 alpha lattice design with two replications. Results revealed the presence of significant variation in yield across genotypes, environments, and GEI indicating the differential performance of genotypes across environments. The variance due to the effect of environments was higher than the variances due to genotypes and GEI. The variances ascribed to environments, genotypes, and GEI accounted for 45.79%, 12.96%, and 22.56% of the total variation, respectively. These results indicated that in rain-fed wheat genotypes under study, grain yield was more controlled by the environment than by genetics. AMMI biplot analysis demonstrated that E2 was the main contributor to the GEI given that it was located farthest from the origin. Furthermore, E2 was unstable yet recorded the highest yield. Genotype G47 contributed highly to the GEI sum of squares considering that it was also located far from the origin. Genotypes G12 and G18 were relatively stable because they were situated close to the origin. Their position indicated that they had minimal interaction with the environment. Genotype 47 was the highest-yielding genotype but was unstable, whereas G34 was the lowest-yielding genotype and was unstable.

Validation of molecular markers linked to Cercospora leaf spot disease resistance in mungbean (Vigna radiata [L.] Wilczek)

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) resistance is a highly desirable trait for mungbean (Vigna radiata [L.] Wilczek) production in Thailand. ‘V4718’ is a vital resistance source that shows high and stable resistance to CLS disease. A previous study identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) (qCLSC72V18-1) controlling CLS resistance and found the marker (I16274) that was located closest to the resistance gene by using F2:9 and F2:10 recombinant inbred line populations derived through a cross between ‘V4718’ and the susceptible variety ‘Chai Nat 72’ (‘CN72’). Here, we evaluated three newly reported simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and one InDel marker together with six previously identified markers that were linked to qCLSC72V18-1 to further identify the markers that were located close to this QTL. By performing bulk segregant analysis on two validation populations, we found that two SSR markers (Vr6gCLS037 and Vr6gCLS133) and one InDel marker (VrTAF5_indel) were putatively associated with CLS resistance. Of these markers, only the VrTAF5_indel marker showed a significant association with the CLS resistance gene with a logarithm of odds score > 3 across the phenotypic data for 2016 and 2018. QTL analysis with inclusive composite interval mapping revealed that the VrTAF5_indel marker was integrated into the genetic map with other previously identified markers. The I16274 and VrTAF5_indel markers flanking the QTL of interest accounted for 41.56%-60.38% of the phenotypic variation with genetic distances of 4.0 and 5.0 cM from the resistance gene, respectively. Both markers together permitted only 0.40% recombination with the CLS resistance gene in marker-assisted selection and thus could be useful in future breeding efforts for CLS resistance in mungbean.

Genetic profiles of three Cinchona species in Junghuhn Natural Reserve, Indonesia

Cinchona species were widely used as ancient medicines for different diseases because they contain the active component quinine and its derivatives. However, studies on the molecular aspects of cinchona, including its genetic diversity, have not been reported because most previous works focused on the administration of the antimalarial cinchona alkaloid. Quinine is also being tested as alternative compound for the treatment of Covid-19. The Junghuhn Natural Reserve in Indonesia contains three different types of cinchona plants, namely, Cinchona calisaya, Cinchona pubescens, and Cinchona sp. Given that the genetic diversity and kinship of these species have never been studied, collecting data on the cinchona gene pool has become imperative. This study analyzed the genetic diversity of the cinchona species in the Junghuhn Natural Reserve, Indonesia, by using eight RAPD markers, i.e., OPA-2, OPA-9, OPB-02, OPB-03, OPB-04, OPB-05, OPB-7, and OPJ-07, during 2020 at the University of Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto-Indonesia. Polymorphic band data were obtained. Then, phenogram analysis was conducted by using UPGMA and maximum parsimony with MEGA7. The RAPD profiles of Cinchona species (C. calisaya, C. pubescent, and Cinchona sp.) revealed polymorphism with different markers, i.e., OPA-2 (90%), OPB-2 (75%), OPB-5 (75%), OPB-3 (66.66%), OPB-4 (66.66%), OPB-7 (66.66%), OPJ-7 (66.66%), and OPA-9 (58.33%) sequentially with total polymorphism (70.62%). C. calisaya was identified as the most distinctive species. UPGMA yielded a coefficient of 0.200 and two distinctive groups: Group I, which comprised C. pubescens and Cinchona sp. with the p-distance value of 0.333, and Group II, which contained C. calisaya. Ixora sp. was treated as an outgroup plant. The topology of the dendrogram was consistent with that of the UPGMA dendrogram. Results may be used for the further exploration of the genetic diversity of cinchona species.

Biochemical and cytological features of onion bulbs and leaves collected from various ecogeographical origins

Against the background of global climate change, drought stress has become one of the environmental limiting factors that can significantly influence the growth and development of crop plants. Drought stress conditions also cause changes in plant physiological and metabolic processes. The influence of soil drought on the mineral composition of the leaves of two Actinidia species with С3-type photosynthesis, namely, Actinidia argutа (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. cultivar ‘Taezhny Dar’ and Actinidia kolomikta (Maxim. & Rupr.) Maxim. cultivar ‘Narodnaya’, was studied through energy dispersive spectrometry. The investigations were carried out during 2020 to 2021 at the Department of Genofonde and Bioresources of Plants, Federal Scientific Center for Horticulture, Moscow. The present research revealed that actinidia leaves contained the following major elements: K (11.19 mass% to 13.84 mass%), Ca (7.83% to 12.08 mass%), Cl (6.20 mass% to 7.33 mass%), and Mg (2.98 mass% to 3.44 mass%). Low values were recorded for Mo (1.19 mass% to 4.49 mass%) and P (0.83 mass% to 1.25 mass%). In both species, the mineral elements K and Ca were present at high levels. A positive correlation was observed between Mg–P, K–Mn, Mn–Se, Cu-Se, P–Si, Na–Mo, and Si–Mn in the leaves of A. argutа and between Cl–Ca, Mo; P–Si, Mo; and K–Ca in the leaves of A. kolomikta. Under stress conditions, the ratios of K/Ca and K/P declined to 0.9 and 6.3, respectively, whereas those of K/Cl, K/Mg, and K/Mo increased to 3.8, 4.4, and 2.7, respectively. The present studies confirmed that actinidia leaves contained high concentrations of minerals, especially K, Ca, P, and Mg, and that the accumulation of mineral elements in actinidia plant leaves under drought conditions varied depending on the species.

Assessment of tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) accessions for pollen sources in natural crossing by using microsatellites

Tea (Camellia sinensis L. [O.] Kuntze) is a highly cross-pollinated and self-incompatible plant. Seeds can be harvested from specific individual mother plants in polyclonal tea gardens. Whether the pollen donor plays an important role in seed formation remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the male parents of 72 natural hybridized progenies (F1) from one female parent on the basis of a putative specific allele by using simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers and the exclusion-likelihood method with Cervus 3.0 software. The genetic material, which comprised seven accessions of C. sinensis L., was acquired from Assamica planted in the Kayulandak polyclonal seed garden of the Pagilaran tea plantation in Batang District, Central Java, Indonesia, and was studied during 2019 and 2020. The genotype PGL-15 was used as the female parent, whereas the six candidate genotypes PGL-10, GMB-9, GMB-7, TPS-93, GMB-11, and TRI-2025 were used as the male parents. In this study, 13 SSR loci were used to identify the male parents of the F1 progenies obtained through natural hybridization between one female and six male tea accessions. Results indicated that the exclusion-likelihood method, which correctly predicted 100% of the male parents, was more effective than the putative specific allele approach, which correctly predicted only 34.72% of the male parents in the 72 hybridized F1 progenies of tea plants.