Genetic modifications of horticultural plants by induced mutations and transgenic approach

Climate change has pressed the need to develop improved horticultural crop cultivars capable of tolerating extreme environmental conditions besides sustaining yield and quality. Induced mutations provide a viable option for the generation of a novel genetic variation. In horticultural crops, more than 800 mutant cultivars have so far been developed, and a majority of them are ornamentals followed by vegetables, fruits, decorative trees, berries, nuts, ornamentals and other plants. Transgenic technology has also led to the improvement of horticultural crops for plant type, fruit-shelf life, floral and quality assets besides resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Mutagenesis techniques have been integrated with in vitro culture and other molecular biology technologies, such as molecular markers and high-throughput mutation screening, thereby becoming more powerful and effective in crop breeding.Peer reviewe

Induced genetic diversity in banana

Induced genetic diversity in banana.Peer reviewe

Gamma rays induced variations in seed germination, growth and phenotypic characteristics of Zinnia elegans var. Dreamland

Zinnia elegans is a herbaceous annual with diverse flower colours, flower types and plant height. Zinnia elegans are popular as pot plants and also for landscape gardening. The commercial value of Zinnia can be increased with novel traits such as flower colour and form. One of the techniques to develop plant varieties with superior traits is to induce mutations using gamma radia- tion. Hence, three doses of gamma radiation (75Gy, 100Gy and 125Gy) were utilised to obtain new and novel varieties of Zinnia elegans var. Dreamland and to study the effect of gamma rays on germination of seeds, growth and survival of the seedlings, height of the plants. All the three gamma ray doses were found to decrease the germination and survival of seeds of Zinnia elegans. The higher doses of gamma rays were found to be detrimental for the germination and survival of seeds and height of the seedlings. Phenotypical variations such as plant height, the number of flowers and flower diameter of the third genera- tion mutants were highly significant as compared to the control. Eight floral variations could be obtained with novel form and colour.

Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai 400085, India

Phytic acid is the major storage form of phosphorus in cereals. It binds with nutritionally important metals and affects mineral bioavailability. The present study analyzed phytic acid, inorganic phosphorus (IP) content, seed weight, and grain yield in 98 sorghum landraces and varieties grown in two environments to evaluate genotypic and environmental effects and to determine trait stability. Genotypic effects and genotype × interaction were significant for phytic acid concentration and yield components. A promising landrace, Malkhed-1, had the lowest phytic acid (0.015 mg g− 1) concentration, with a higher yield (70.02 g plant− 1), than the check variety M-35-1 in both environments. Similarly, among the varieties, Phule Maulee showed the lowest phytic acid (0.07 mg g− 1) and a higher grain yield of 53.15 g plant− 1 in both environments. Phytic acid and IP were negatively correlated (r = − 0.34), whereas grain yield and seed weight were positively correlated (r = 0.20). Cluster analysis based on seed phosphorus traits and yield components identified five and six clusters, respectively. Genotypes containing low phytic acid with high yield identified in this study would be helpful for increasing the bioavailability of mineral nutrients

Genotypic variation for seed protein and mineral content among post-rainy season-grown sorghum genotypes

Sorghum is an important staple food crop of Asian and African countries. As a “poor man's crop”, it provides dietary starch, protein, and some vitamins and minerals. Minerals are important for various physiological functions in the human body. As a major staple crop of central and southern Indian provinces, sorghum landraces are a source of supplementary micronutrients. Concentrations of micronutrients and protein and yield parameters were studied using 112 local landraces and varieties. Univariate analysis revealed wide variation for iron (1.10–9.54 mg 100 g−1), zinc (1.12–7.58 mg 100 g−1), protein (3.50–12.60%), and grain yield (2.50–76.50 g) among the landraces. High estimates of genetic/phenotypic coefficient of variation, and genetic advances over the mean were identified for landraces and varieties. High heritabilities were also identified for yield and mineral content. Correlation estimates among the genotypes indicated that grain yield was positively correlated with copper and protein with copper and zinc. Cluster analysis based on Euclidean distance resolved all of the genotypes into three major clusters. The wide range of values with high heritability estimates may favor the use of these landraces in recombination breeding to improve nutritional quality in sorghum