Determining Genetic Diversity of Deshi Jute (Corchorus capsularis) for the Improvement of Fibre Yield and Associated Traits

Commercially important natural fibres considered as fiber of the future are cultivated in different south-east Asian countries including India and Bangladesh. Unfortunately, they are characterized by limited genetic variation in terms of yield, quality and susceptibility to diseases and pests. Therefore, genetic deviation studies are crucial to develop a successful cultivation program to develop varieties to meet the growing demand for domestic and foreign jute products. In our study, which was conducted at the Central Jute Research Experiment Station of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), during Kharif seasons of 2014. 44 Thirteen progenies (1546, 1548, 4311, 4328, 4330, 4337, 4339, 5007, 6702/A, 6702/B, 6772, 6787, 6790) and two check varieties CVL-1 and CVE-3 (developed from Bangladesh Jute Research Institute) were investigated to study the genetic variability, genetic diversity and degree of association of different component characters related to fiber yield. The seeds of experimental plant materials were grown in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Statistical analysis was run to find out the genotypic and phenotypic variances, correlations and cluster analysis for fibre yield related traits namely plant height (m), base diameter (cm), stick weight (g), fiber weight (g). Highly significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the characters. Cluster analysis divided the accessions and varieties into four cluster. From our evaluation it was revealed that the treatment number 4337/06, 4339/06 and 6702/A performed better in most of the cases than the control varieties CVL-1 and CVE-3. These accessions may be used as parents for future variety development program

Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors from Several Medicinal Plant Compounds by Drug Repurposing and Molecular Docking Approach.

Coronaviruses are endemic in humans and infections normally mild, such as the common cold but cross-species transmission has produced some unusually virulent strains which now causing viral pneumonia and in serious cases even acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. SARS-CoV-2 is the most threatening issue which leads the world to an uncertainty alongside thousands of regular death scenes. For this virus, death toll is increasing in. An effective vaccine to cure this virus is not yet available, thus requires concerted efforts at various scales. The viral Main Protease controls Coronavirus replication and is a proven drug discovery target for SARS-CoV-2. Here, comprehensive computational approaches including drug repurposing and molecular docking were employed to predict the efficacy of medicinal plant-based bioactive compounds against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Molecular docking was performed using PyRx-autodock vina to analyze the inhibition probability. MPP (6LU7) was docked with 90 phytochemical compounds and docking was analysed by PyRx-autodock vina, Pymol version 1.7.4.5 Edu, and Biovia Discovery Studio 4.5. Furthermore, ADME analysis along with analysis of toxicity was also investigated to check the pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness properties of the antiviral phytochemicals. Remdesivir and lopinavir were used as standards for comparison. Our analyses revealed that the top ten (Azadirachtin, -12.5kcal/mol; Rutin, -9 kcal/mol; Theaflavin, -9 kcal/mol; Astragalin, -8.8 kcal/mol; Isoquercitrin, -8.7 kcal/mol; Hyperoside, -8.6 kcal/mol; Baicalin, -8.4 kcal/mol; Saponin, -8.3 kcal/mol; Sennoside A, -8.3 kcal/mol; Aloin, -8.2 kcal/mol, while Remdesivir and Lopinavir showed -8.2 and -7.9 kcal/mol) hits might serve as potential anti- SARS-CoV-2 lead molecules for further optimization and drug development process to combat COVID-19

Screening of salt-tolerant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through morphological and molecular markers

Screening of wheat genotypes containing suitable candidate genes for salt tolerance is an essential step in stress-breeding. This study aimed to determine genetic variation, and screen salt-tolerant genotypes using morphological and molecular markers as selection criteria. In this study, 44 genotypes of wheat were screened at the seedling stage by hydroponic culture. The treatments included a control (1 dSm−1), and low (9 dSm−1), moderate (12 dSm−1) and high (15 dSm−1) salinity stresses. Moreover, these genotypes were subjected to marker-assisted selection using 15 salt tolerance related gene-linked simple sequence repeats (SSRs). The total salt stress response indices (TSSRI) categorized wheat genotypes into four groups; tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible, and susceptible. TSSRI and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that Akbar was the most salt-tolerant wheat genotype, followed by Barigom-20, Barigom-22, BW-1284, BW-1262, BW-1237, and Barigom-24. It was evident that the growth of most of the genotypes was significantly inhibited by salt treatment. The tolerant genotypes, however, had to face a lower reduction in morphological parameters. The highest value (0.7127) of polymorphism information content (PIC) was shown by the marker Xwmc17. UPGMA dendrogram showed a clear differentiation of 43 wheat genotypes into seven major clusters considering genetic similarity. Cluster-I consisted of twelve genotypes, seven of which were found salt-tolerant, cluster-VI was composed of seven genotypes, of which four emerged as salt-tolerant, and Cluster-VII accommodated three genotypes all of which were tolerant based on TSSRI. On the contrary, seven genotypes in Cluster-II, and five in Cluster-III were found salt-susceptible according to phenotypic assessment at the seedling stage. In conclusion, considering the morphological characterization and molecular markers response, Akbar, Barigom-20, Barigom-22, BW-1284, and BW-1262 are identified as tolerant genotypes. Therefore, these screened genotypes could be utilized as valuable genetic resources in wheat breeding for salinity tolerance research

Assessment of genetic variability in different kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) germplasm using morpho-agronomic traits

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a fiber crop classified in the genus Hibiscus (Malvaceae), and has a great potential for its multipurpose utilization, in addition to its traditional usage. Varietal identification of kenaf is always problematic and knowledge on genetic variability of kenaf varieties is also limited, which significantly hindered our effective utilization and conservation of the valuable kenaf germplasm. In order to find a proper method for identifying kenaf varieties and studying their variation, morpho-agronomic characters were analyzed. Fifty eight accessions of kenaf germplasm collected from Gene Bank Department of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute were characterized at Jute Agriculture Experiment Station, Manikganj during April 2014 to December 2014. The accessions were characterized for fifteen morpho-agronomic attributes as per Hibiscus descriptor in order to select superior genotypes for the genetic improvement of kenaf. Considerable ranges of variability were observed in stem colour, petiole colour, plant height, base diameter, dry fibre weight, dry core weight, green weight with leaves and green weight without leaves. Based on major yield contributing characters accessions 1653, 3384, 3928 and 4202 performed better than the control varieties HC-2 and HC-95

Assessment of genetic variability in different kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) germplasm using morpho-agronomic traits

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a fiber crop classified in the genus Hibiscus (Malvaceae), and has a great potential for its multipurpose utilization, in addition to its traditional usage. Varietal identification of kenaf is always problematic and knowledge on genetic variability of kenaf varieties is also limited, which significantly hindered our effective utilization and conservation of the valuable kenaf germplasm. In order to find a proper method for identifying kenaf varieties and studying their variation, morpho-agronomic characters were analyzed. Fifty eight accessions of kenaf germplasm collected from Gene Bank Department of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute were characterized at Jute Agriculture Experiment Station, Manikganj during April 2014 to December 2014. The accessions were characterized for fifteen morpho-agronomic attributes as per Hibiscus descriptor in order to select superior genotypes for the genetic improvement of kenaf. Considerable ranges of variability were observed in stem colour, petiole colour, plant height, base diameter, dry fibre weight, dry core weight, green weight with leaves and green weight without leaves. Based on major yield contributing characters accessions 1653, 3384, 3928 and 4202 performed better than the control varieties HC-2 and HC-95