Indirect and direct somatic embryogenesis from aerial stem explants of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

Protocols for direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis from aerial stem explants of ginger have been developed. Aerial stem explants of two ginger varieties were cultured on different concentrations of 2,4-D induced callus. An in vitro aerial stem produced hard, nodular and yellowish callus (Type I) and an in planta aerial stem gave rise to soft, sticky callus with pale white color (Type II). The proliferated Type II calli were subject to stress for 40–60 days without subculturing. The desiccated calli produced white friable calli which turned embryogenic and then produced somatic embryos in a medium containing 2 mg L–1 benzyl amino purine. The mature, club-shaped somatic embryos were germinated on a medium containing benzyl amino purine and a – naphthalene acetic acid in different concentrations. Type I callus of neither variety turned embryogenic but produced roots in all the cultures. Direct somatic embryogenesis was observed from the in planta aerial stem and leaf base explants with the use of thidiazuron alone or in combination with indole, 3-butyric acid. Histological studies revealed that the somatic embryos in ginger have a distinct single layered epidermis, scutellum, coleoptile, shoot apex and root apex

Novel polymorphic microsatellite markers from turmeric, Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae)

Twenty one polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). These markers were screened across thirty accessions.The number of alleles observed for each locus ranged from two to eight with an average of4.7 alleles per locus. The discrimination power of these markers ranged from 0.25 to 0.67 (average 0.6). The simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers can complement the currently available SSR markers and would be useful for the genetic analysis of turmeric accessions

Spike proliferation in black pepper (

Introduction. Black pepper (P. nigrum L.), the major world spice, is a climbing vine of historical, religious and economic importance. Landraces or farmer’s cultivars constitute the major component of this tropical vine's diversity. Normal spike formation. Berries of P. nigrum are produced in solitary, unbranched, axillary spikes. The apical bud of the plagiotropic branches transforms into an inflorescence (spike). Spike variant. Mutation in the floral meristem of black pepper could result in inflorescence proliferation. A variant with 100% of proliferating spikes was collected from a farmer’s plot, and then propagated by cuttings. The proliferating spikes are of indeterminate growth habit. Benefits. This natural mutant of Piper nigrum resulted in improved socioeconomic status of the farmer through sale of the rooted cuttings at a premium price. The variant can also be used as a donor for improvement of black pepper, besides as a novelty in potted pepper culture. Since berries of varying maturity are produced due to indeterminate growth, and since immature berries are rich in oleoresin, a single harvest will be yielding matured berries, which can be traded as black pepper of commerce, and half-matured berries suited to the value-added industry. Discussion. Mutations in the floral organ identity genes and their effect on altered flower/inflorescence development have been reported in the literature. In the case of spike proliferation, the transformation of the floral primordia in the mutant spike into inflorescence primordia has resulted in the modified spike architecture

Indirect and direct somatic embryogenesis from aerial stem explants of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

Protocols for direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis from aerial stem explants of ginger have been developed. Aerial stem explants of two ginger varieties were cultured on different concentrations of 2,4-D induced callus. An in vitro aerial stem produced hard, nodular and yellowish callus (Type I) and an in planta aerial stem gave rise to soft, sticky callus with pale white color (Type II). The proliferated Type II calli were subject to stress for 40–60 days without subculturing. The desiccated calli produced white friable calli which turned embryogenic and then produced somatic embryos in a medium containing 2 mg L–1 benzyl amino purine. The mature, club-shaped somatic embryos were germinated on a medium containing benzyl amino purine and a – naphthalene acetic acid in different concentrations. Type I callus of neither variety turned embryogenic but produced roots in all the cultures. Direct somatic embryogenesis was observed from the in planta aerial stem and leaf base explants with the use of thidiazuron alone or in combination with indole, 3-butyric acid. Histological studies revealed that the somatic embryos in ginger have a distinct single layered epidermis, scutellum, coleoptile, shoot apex and root apex

Methods for Development of Microsatellite Markers: An Overview

Microsatellite or Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers have evolved to the status of a most versatile and popular genetic marker in a ubiquity of plant systems. Due to their co-dominant, hyper-variable and multiallelic nature, they are the prominent markers of choice for fingerprinting, conservation genetics, plant breeding and phylogenetic studies. Despite its development of a new set of SSR markers for a species remained time consuming and expensive for many years. However, with the recent advancement in genomics, new strategies/protocols are now available for the generation of SSR markers. This review presents an overview on microsatellite markers with a special emphasis on the various strategies used for the development of microsatellite marker

Methods for Development of Microsatellite Markers: An Overview

Microsatellite or Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers have evolved to the status of a most versatile and popular genetic marker in a ubiquity of plant systems. Due to their co-dominant, hyper-variable and multiallelic nature, they are the prominent markers of choice for fingerprinting, conservation genetics, plant breeding and phylogenetic studies. Despite its development of a new set of SSR markers for a species remained time consuming and expensive for many years. However, with the recent advancement in genomics, new strategies/protocols are now available for the generation of SSR markers. This review presents an overview on microsatellite markers with a special emphasis on the various strategies used for the development of microsatellite marker