Plant regeneration protocol of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) - an important medicinal plant

Rapid direct plant regeneration of Andrographis paniculata was achieved from leaf and stem explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 1.5 to 3.0 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA), 50 mg/l adenine sulfate (Ads) and 3% (m/v) sucrose. Inclusion of 1.0 mg/l 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in the culture medium along with BA + Ads promoted a higher rate of shoot bud regeneration. Maximum mean number of shoot bud per explant (28.6) was achieved on the MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l BA, 50 mg/l Ads and 1.0 mg/l NAA after six weeks of culture. The percent of regeneration varied depending on the culture medium. The elongated shoots were rooted within 9 to 11 days on ½ strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 1-naphthaleneacetic (NAA) acid with 2% sucrose. Maximum percentage of rooting (76.24%) was obtained on medium having 0.5 mg/l IBA and 2% sucrose. Basal region of the micro-shoots became callusing when transferred to higher concentrations of either IBA or NAA. The rooted plantlets were survived in the greenhouse. The in vitro raised plantlets were grown normally under soil condition. This result will facilitate the conservation and propagation of the important medicinal plant.Keywords: In vitro, shoot bud regeneration, growth regulators, medicinal plants.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(39), pp. 5738-574

Characterization of Microsatellites in Bambusa arundinacea and Cross Species Amplification in Other Bamboos

Microsatellites, tandem repeats of short nucleotide (1Ð6 bp) sequences, are the DNA marker of choice because of their highly polymorphic, ubiquitous distribution within genome, ease of genotyping through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), selectively neutral, co-dominant and multi allelic nature. Six microsatellites, three polymorphic and three monomorphic, have been characterized for the first time in a bamboo species, Bambusa arudinacea belonging to the family Poaceae. The number of alleles per locus ranges form 2 to 13. Allelic diversity ranges from 0.041 to 0.870. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values for two loci were > 0.3, an indicator of polymorphic allele. Cross species amplification has been tested in other 18 bamboo species. Monomorphic simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have been found to be cross amplified in most of the tested species while polymorphic ones in only three to four species. The utility of the SSR loci in genetic diversity study of B. arundinacea and other cross amplified bamboo species have been discussed

In vitro somatic embryogenesis of high yielding varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) belongs to the family Gramineae and is the staple food for half of the world’s population and occupies almost one-fifth of the total land area covered under cereals. Now-a-days, the production of rice is hampered due to climatic changes. Therefore, it is essential to develop variety which is tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses. The present investigation was conducted to establish an efficient and simple protocol for regeneration of four agronomically important indica rice varieties (Khandagiri, Udayagiri, Swarna and Pratikhya). Somatic embryogenesis were achieved from immature zygotic embryos on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), 1.0 mg/l kinetin and 3% (w/v) sucrose within 4 weeks of culture. The secondary somatic embryogenesis was also achieved in subsequent subculture on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D and 2.0 mg/l kinetin and 200 mg/l L-proline. The percentage of embryogenic calli proliferation were 82.4, 83.7, 88.4 and 84.4 in variety Khandagiri, Udayagiri, Swarna and Pratikhya respectively on MS basal medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l 2,4-D, 2.0 mg/l Kinetin and 200 mg/l L-proline. Inclusion of higher concentration of L-proline (400 mg/l) in the induction medium, the growth of calli was reduced. The maximum percentage of somatic embryo germination took place in medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l kinetin, 0.25 mg/l NAA and 50 mg/l adenine sulfate within 4 weeks of culture. The regenerated plantlets were transferred to pots for acclimatization. About 80% of plants were survived in the greenhouse condition.Keywords: Somatic embryogenesis, immature zygotic embryos, Indica rice, plant regenerationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(42), pp. 6113-611

Utility of Underwater Weenie Life Forms as Voluminous Organisms: A Review

Coral reefs are a sundry subaqueous ecological community, combined with the calcium carbonate structures secreted by converting the carbon dioxide present in the water into limestone. The biotic portion of the coral reef is marine animal known as polyps that have resemblance with jellyfish. Unlike terrestrial environment, the marine component is tightly interdependent. Taking out one component or loss of from a system can have a devastating impact or undermine the entire marine ecosystem. Reefs specifically are a vital organism among underwater life which is dependent on corals and provide key microhabitat, shelter and breeding ground for thousands of species of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, etc. Coral reef possesses vital ethnobotanical properties, which cures asthma, arthritis, and even cancer. Apart from medicinal properties, further it provides 2/3rd of oxygen on earth. However, the destructive fishing practices, pollution and ocean acidification have endangered this kingdom and have led to the threatening of the entire fabric of the underwater life. As human beings are also dependent up to much extent for centuries, there is a high probability of being severely affected if the coral reef extinct leaving the seabed barren. Corals cover almost 1 % of the oceans present on earth, but the irony is 75 % of them are on a verge of extinction. Therefore, the present review focuses on its conservation, cultivation and significance of their application in the field of biomedical science. Keywords: Coral reef, endangered, ethnobotany, extinction, marine ecosystem, pollution

Distribution and DNA profiling of Cycas beddomei Dyer. : A critical endangered gymnosperm.

Abstract Cycas beddomei is a   critically endangered  plant species belonging to the cycadales of the  gymnosperm under family Cycadaceae grown in the hill slopes and grassy woodland forest.  It is considered as a living fossil, as its distribution is very rare, though it flourished well in the Mesozoic era. No report on molecular profiling and genetic distribution on  Cycas beddomei for conservation and multiplication Molecular marker like Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSRs) markers were used to identify the species with genetic analysis among the individuals collected from wild populations of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is only growing in the hill regions of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Among the twenty ISSR primers tested, only fifteen of them produced unambiguous DNA fragments through polymerase chain reaction. All the clones of Cycas  beddomei extensively amplified using these fifteen ISSR primers and produced a total of 86 fragments ranging from 300 bp to 2500 bp. The maximum number of polymorphic markers and percentage of polymorphism were 70 and 81.3 respectively. Average number of polymorphic ISSR marker was 4.7.  The average PIC value, reflecting the expected heterozygosity, was 0.749 and the frequency for the  ISSR loci ranged from 0.623 - 0.914. The dendrogram generated based on ISSR markers showed distinct clusters. The six clones were clearly separated into two major clusters with 50% similarity. The variation due to the biological regeneration of the species. There is an urgent need to take effective measures to protect this critically endangered species against further loss of genetic diversity and for ex situ conservation

Isolation and characterization of micro satellites in Bambusa arundinacea and cross species amplification in other bamboos

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites was analyzed in Bambusa arundinacea   and cross species amplification in other bamboos. Six microsatellites, three polymorphic and three monomorphic, were characterized in a bamboo species, Bambusa aruninacea belonging to the family Poaceae. The numbers of alleles per locus ranges form 2 to 6. Allelic diversity ranges from 0.128 to 0.789. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) values for two loci were > 0.3, as an indicator of polymorphic allele. Cross species amplification has been tested in other 18 bamboo species. Monomorphic simple sequence repeats (SSRs) have been found to be cross amplified in most of the tested species while polymorphic ones in only three to four species. Utilization of the SSR loci in genetic diversity study of B. arundinacea and other cross amplified bamboo species is discussed

Effect of Metal Toxicity on Plant Growth and Metabolism: I. Zinc

Zinc toxicity and problems with regard to tolerance and ecological significance are briefly discussed. Differential tolerance of plant genotypes exposed to zinc toxicity is a more promising approach to enrich our understanding of zinc tolerance in plants. Knowledge concerning the physiology and biochemistry with regard to phytotoxicity, uptake and transport of zinc and tolerance and its characterization are also discussed. The cytotoxic effects of zinc on plants are elucidated. The major change was seen in the nucleus of the root tip cells due to zinc toxicity. The chromatin material was highly condensed and some of the cortical cells showed disruption and dilation of nuclear membrane in presence of 7.5 mM zinc. The cytoplasm became structureless, disintegration of cell organelles and the development of vacuoles were also observed. The number of nucleoli also increased in response to zinc resulting in the synthesis of new protein involved in heavy metal tolerance. This review may help in interdisciplinary studies to assess the ecological significance of metal stress.Effet de la toxicité des métaux sur la croissance et le métabolisme des plantes : I. Zinc. La toxicité du zinc et les problèmes de tolérance ou de conséquence écologique liés sont brièvement discutés. L'approche en terme de tolérance différentielle des génotypes de plantes exposées à la toxicité du zinc est prometteuse pour l'enrichissement de notre compréhension de la tolérance des plantes au zinc. Les connaissances de la physiologie et la biochimie face à la phytotoxicité, à l'absorption et au transport du zinc, ainsi que la tolérance et sa caractérisation sont aussi discutées dans ce papier. Les effets cytotoxiques du zinc sur les plantes sont maintenant élucidés. La modification majeure concerne le noyau des cellules de l'extrémité des racines. La chromatine est fortement condensée et certaines des cellules corticales montrent la rupture et la dilatation de leur membrane nucléaire en présence de 7.5 mM de zinc. De plus, le cytoplasme perd sa structure, la désintégration d'organites et le développement de vacuoles sont aussi observés. Enfin, le nombre de nucléoles augmente en réponse au zinc. Ils résultent de la synthèse d'une nouvelle protéine impliquée dans la tolérance aux métaux lourds. Cette synthèse bibliographique pourra aider les études interdisciplinaires à évaluer les conséquences écologiques des stress dus aux métaux

Differential nickel tolerance of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) genotypes in nutrient culture

Eight cultivars of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) were tested for their tolerance to different levels of nickel (Ni) (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 μM) in nutrient solution at pH 6.8. Seeds were germinated and grown in the presence of nickel under controlled environmental conditions. Standard growth parameters such as root length, shoot length, root/shoot dry biomass production and root/shoot tolerance index were used as markers of nickel toxicity. Measurements as early as 24 h after the beginning of treatment did not yield consistent results. However, root measurements 3, 6 and 9 days after the beginning of treatments yielded significant differences among cultivars which were similar to field performance in nickel-rich soils. The cultivars Dhauli and PDM-116 showed root growth while LGG-407, K-851, TARM-22 and TARM-1, TARM-21, TARM-26 exhibited a reverse trend in root growth in the presence of nickel (12 μM). The root tolerance index (RTI) and the shoot tolerance index (STI) with respect to Dhauli and PDM-116 were high indicating their tolerance to nickel; TARM-21 and TARM-26, however, showed a low RTI and STI. Based on the growth parameters eight cultivars of mung bean were ranked with respect to their tolerance to nickel: Dhauli > PDM-116 > LGG-407 > K-851 > TARM-22 > TARM-1 > TARM-21> TARM-26. Nickel induced greater G6PDH and GDH activity in Dhauli and PDM-116 as compared to LGG-407, K-851, TARM-22, TARM-1, TARM-21 and TARM-26. This method can be employed for quick screening of mung bean for nickel tolerance. (© Inra/Elsevier, Paris.)Tolérance au nickel de divers génotypes de haricot mungo (Vigna radiata L.) cultivés sur solution nutritive. On a testé la tolérance de huit cultivars de haricot mungo à divers niveaux de nickel (Ni) (0, 6, 12, 18 et 24 μM) présents dans une solution nutritive à pH 6,8. Les graines ont germé et se sont développées en présence de nickel en conditions de milieu contrôlées. Les paramètres standard de la croissance, tels que la longueur des racines, la longueur des pousses, la production de biomasse des racines et celle des pousses, l'indice de tolérance des racines et celui des pousses, ont été utilisés comme marqueurs de la toxicité du Ni. Les mesures faites 24 h après le début du traitement n'ont pas donné de résultats cohérents. La mesure des racines 3, 6 et 9 j après le début du traitement a donné des différences significatives entre cultivars qui avaient les mêmes performances au champ dans des sols riches en Ni. Les cultivars Dhauli et PDM-116 ont présenté une croissance racinaire en présence de Ni, tandis que la tendance était inverse pour LGG-407, K-851, TARM-22 et TARM-1, TARM-21 et TARM-26. L'indice de tolérance des racines (RTI) et celui des pousses (STI) indiquaient nettement une tolérance au Ni pour Dhauli et PDM-116 ; TARM-21 et TARM-26, en revanche, avaient un RTI et un STI faibles. La tolérance au Ni des huit cultivars, basée sur les paramètres de la croissance a donné le classement suivant : Dhauli > DDM-116 > LGG-407 > K-851 > TARM-22 > TARM-1 > TARM-21 > TARM-26. Le nickel a provoqué une plus grande activité enzymatique de la glucose-6-phosphate déshydrogénase et de la glutamate déshydrogénase chez Dhauli et PDM-116 comparé aux autres cultivars. Cette méthode peut être utilisée pour un criblage rapide du haricot mungo à la tolérance au nickel.(© Inra/Elsevier, Paris.

In vitro clonal propagation of Acacia mangium Willd. and its evaluation of genetic stability through RAPD marker

An in vitro propagation of a tropical leguminous tree, Acacia mangium, has been established. Induction of bud sprout was obtained from mature nodal explants of 10-years-old tree of Acacia mangium on Murashige and Skoog (MS) [10] basal medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (1.0 mg/L), gibberellic acid (GA3) 1.0 mg/L and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) 0.05 mg/L. The rate of multiplication was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L BAP, 0.05 mg/L IAA and 100 mg/L adenine sulfate (Ads). The multiplication rate varied from 1 to 8 depending on the growth regulators used. Excised shoots were rooted on half-strength MS basal salts supplemented with 0.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 20 g/L (w/v) sucrose after 13–14 days of culture. The micropropagated plantlets have been acclimatized and successfully transferred to soil. The micropropagated plantlets appeared morphologically similar to the mother plant. No variation was detected among the micropropagated plants by the use of Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers.Propagation de clones in vitro d’Acacia mangium Willd., et évaluation de leur stabilité génétique avec un marquage RADP. On a réalisé la propagation in vitro d’un arbre, Acacia mangium, de la famille des légumineuses. L’induction de bourgeons débourrés a été obtenue à partir d’explants de bois aoûté prélevés sur des arbres âgés de 10 ans, cultivés dans le milieu de base de Murashige et Skoog (MS) auquel on a ajouté de la benzylaminopurine (BAP) (1,0 mg/L), de l’acide gibbérelique (GA3) (1,0 mg/L) et de l’acide indol-3 acétique (IAA) (0,05 mg/L). Pour la phase multiplication on a utilisé le milieu MS avec addition de 1,5 mg/L de BAP, 0,05 mg/L d’IAA et 150 mg/L de sulfate d’adénine (Ads). Le taux de multiplication a varié de 1 à 8 selon les régulateurs de croissance utilisés. L’enracinement des pousses a été obtenu avec le milieu MS dilué de moitié, additionné de 0,5 mg/L d’acide indol butyrique (IBA) ou d’acide indol-3 acétique (IAA) et de 20 g/L de (w/v) saccharose après 13 à 14 jours de culture. Les plantules issues de cette micropropagation ont été acclimatées et transférées avec succès sur le terrain. Elles étaient apparemment similaires à la plante mère sur le plan morphologique. Aucune variabilité n’a pu être détectée entre plantules par l’utilisation de marqueurs DNA (RAPD)