Differential regulation of genes involved in root morphogenesis and cell wall modification is associated with salinity tolerance in chickpea

Salinity is a major constraint for intrinsically salt sensitive grain legume chickpea. Chickpea exhibits large genetic variation amongst cultivars, which show better yields in saline conditions but still need to be improved further for sustainable crop production. Based on previous multi-location physiological screening, JG 11 (salt tolerant) and ICCV 2 (salt sensitive) were subjected to salt stress to evaluate their physiological and transcriptional responses. A total of ~480 million RNA-Seq reads were sequenced from root tissues which resulted in identification of 3,053 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to salt stress. Reproductive stage shows high number of DEGs suggesting major transcriptional reorganization in response to salt to enable tolerance. Importantly, cationic peroxidase, Aspartic ase, NRT1/PTR, phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase, DREB1E and ERF genes were significantly up-regulated in tolerant genotype. In addition, we identified a suite of important genes involved in cell wall modification and root morphogenesis such as dirigent proteins, expansin and casparian strip membrane proteins that could potentially confer salt tolerance. Further, phytohormonal cross-talk between ERF and PIN-FORMED genes which modulate the root growth was observed. The gene set enrichment analysis and functional annotation of these genes suggests they may be utilised as potential candidates for improving chickpea salt tolerance

Comparative flower transcriptome network analysis reveals DEGs involved in chickpea reproductive success during salinity

Salinity is increasingly becoming a significant problem for the most important yet intrinsically salt-sensitive grain legume chickpea. Chickpea is extremely sensitive to salinity during the reproductive phase. Therefore, it is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms by comparing the transcriptomic dynamics between the two contrasting genotypes in response to salt stress. Chickpea exhibits considerable genetic variation amongst improved cultivars, which show better yields in saline conditions but still need to be enhanced for sustainable crop production. Based on previous extensive multi-location physiological screening, two identified genotypes, JG11 (salt-tolerant) and ICCV2 (salt-sensitive), were subjected to salt stress to evaluate their phenological and transcriptional responses. RNA-Sequencing is a revolutionary tool that allows for comprehensive transcriptome profiling to identify genes and alleles associated with stress tolerance and sensitivity. After the first flowering, the whole flower from stress-tolerant and sensitive genotypes was collected. A total of ~300 million RNA-Seq reads were sequenced, resulting in 2022 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to salt stress. Genes involved in flowering time such as FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and pollen development such as ABORTED MICROSPORES (AMS), rho-GTPase, and pollen-receptor kinase were significantly differentially regulated, suggesting their role in salt tolerance. In addition to this, we identify a suite of essential genes such as MYB proteins, MADS-box, and chloride ion channel genes, which are crucial regulators of transcriptional responses to salinity tolerance. The gene set enrichment analysis and functional annotation of these genes in flower development suggest that they can be potential candidates for chickpea crop improvement for salt tolerance

The basis of nonhost resistance for future genetic engineering to find out durable resistance in agricultural crops

Plant disease resistance is one of the most desirable traits for agricultural production, especially in the present time of fear over food production and crop security. Disease plays an important role in crop production and quality of products. The one key factor of food security and production is plant disease resistance. Several resistance gene(s) are reported from the same host range to overcome against disease resistance. These resistance (R) genes are not durable in many cases because of rapid changes in the pathogen population to overcome the resistance that they confer. For diagnosing such type of situation, continuous search of durable resistance sources from across the genera/species are desirable. Second type of resistance that is nonhost resistance has been described as inaccessibility. Nonhost resistance is regarded as a robust protection against pathogenic microorganisms because of its durability. The mechanisms of nonhost resistance could also be exploited to improve the resistance in a range of crop plants. Recently several components of nonhost resistance have been identified but such resistance is one of the least understood phenomenons in the area of plant microbe interaction. Molecular mechanism of nonhost resistance is not fully understood. Though, nonhost resistance will help biologist to engineer the plants for more durable resistance against important plant diseases. Therefore, non-host resistance seems to be one avenue under consideration for significant improvement of agriculture production in future

Genetic Diversity in Selected Indian Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] Cultivars Using RAPD Markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to study the DNA polymorphism in Indian mungbean cultivars. A total of 60 random primers were used in the study and 33 of them generated reproducible RAPD patterns. Amplification of genomic DNA of most popular 24 Indian mungbean cultivars with these RAPD primers yielded 249 fragments that could be scored, of which 224 were polymorphic, with an average of 7.0 polymorphic fragments per primer. Number of amplified fragments with random primers ranged from 2 (OPI 9) to 17 (OPD 7). Percentage polymorphism ranged from 33% (OPX 5) to a maximum of 100% (OPX 4, OPX 6, OPX 13, OPX 15, OPX 19, OPD 5, OPD 7, OPD 20, OPI 4, OPI 6, OPI 13, OPI 14, OPI 18 and OPF 1), with an average of 90%. The Jaccard’s similarity indices based on RAPD profiles were subjected to UPGMA cluster analysis. And genotypes grouped in two major groups. Sixteen out of 24 released cultivars grouped to cluster I. This indicated the narrow genetic base in the Indian mungbean cultivars used in the study. The details of diversity analysis and possible reasons for narrow genetic base in mungbean cultivars are discussed in the present study

Phylogenetic diversity of Mesorhizobium in chickpea

Crop domestication, in general, has reduced genetic diversity in cultivated gene pool of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) as compared with wild species (C. reticulatum, C. bijugum). To explore impact of domestication on symbiosis, 10 accessions of chickpeas, including 4 accessions of C. arietinum, and 3 accessions of each of C. reticulatum and C. bijugum species, were selected and DNAs were extracted from their nodules. To distinguish chickpea symbiont, preliminary sequences analysis was attempted with 9 genes (16S rRNA, atpD, dnaJ, glnA, gyrB, nifH, nifK, nodD and recA) of which 3 genes (gyrB, nifK and nodD) were selected based on sufficient sequence diversity for further phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence diversity for 3 genes demonstrated that sequences from C. reticulatum were more diverse. Nodule occupancy by dominant symbiont also indicated that C. reticulatum (60%) could have more various symbionts than cultivated chickpea (80%). The study demonstrated that wild chickpeas (C. reticulatum) could be used for selecting more diverse symbionts in the field conditions and it implies that chickpea domestication affected symbiosis negatively in addition to reducing genetic diversity

Improving Salt Tolerance of Chickpea Using Modern Genomics Tools and Molecular Breeding.

Introduction: The high protein value, essential minerals, dietary fibre and notable ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen make chickpea a highly remunerative crop, particularly in low-input food production systems. Of the variety of constraints challenging chickpea productivity worldwide, salinity remains of prime concern owing to the intrinsic sensitivity of the crop. In view of the projected expansion of chickpea into arable and salt-stressed land by 2050, increasing attention is being placed on improving the salt tolerance of this crop. Considerable effort is currently underway to address salinity stress and substantial breeding progress is being made despite the seemingly highly-complex and environment-dependent nature of the tolerance trait. Conclusion: This review aims to provide a holistic view of recent advances in breeding chickpea for salt tolerance. Initially, we focus on the identification of novel genetic resources for salt tolerance via extensive germplasm screening. We then expand on the use of genome-wide and cost-effective techniques to gain new insights into the genetic control of salt tolerance, including the responsive genes/QTL(s), gene(s) networks/cross talk and intricate signalling cascades

Development of EST derived microsatellite markers in chickpea and their validation in diversity analysis

Not AvailableMicrosatellites are widely used as genetic markers because they are co-dominant, multi-allelic, easily scorable and highly polymorphic. In order to enhance availability of genomic resources, microsatellite loci were identified from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), the third most important grain legume in the world. A total of 20 SSR markers were developed from EST clones of wilt resistant cultivar (JG 315) of chickpea. Chickpea varieties (15) were analyzed for genetic diversity with these markers, which produced a total of 35 alleles with a mean of 1.5 alleles per primer. About 5 markers were polymorphic in the selected genotypes and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.12 to 0.87 with an average of 0.32. These microsatellite markers will be useful in diversity analysis, mapping agronomically important traits and marker assisted breeding in chickpea

Genetic Diversity Assessment Across Different Genotypes Of Mungbean And Urdbean Using Molecular Markers

Pulses compliment the daily diet of Indians along with cereals. They are rich in proteins with satisfactory proportion ofcarbohydrates. Mungbean, Vigna radiata and Urd bean, Vigna mungo are the important grain legume crops in agriculture,particularly in India. MYMV (Mungbean Yellow vein Mosaic Virus) is a virus transmitted by whitefly, Bemesia tabaci, themost serious disease of Mungbean and Urdbean. In this study, six each of MYMV resistant and susceptible genotypes inMungbean and Urbean respectively were selected for the diversity analysis using molecular markers. Twenty four RGAprimers from cowpea were used to screen the twenty four genotypes. Dendrogram generated clearly indicated two bigclusters at 15% similarity. All mungbean genotypes made one cluster (cluster A) except PS16, which was included in othercluster made by Urdbean genotypes (cluster B). Cluster A contained eleven genotypes while cluster B contained thirteengenotypes. Cluster A and B were further classified into two sub clusters namely A1 and A2, B1 and B2 respectively. A1consisted of seven genotypes of which five were resistant (PANT MUNG 1, PANT MUNG 5, HUM 12, PUSA 9531, HUM1) and two were susceptible (TARM 2, KOPERGAON 3), while A2 comprised of remaining four genotypes in which threewere susceptible (TAP 7, SML 134 and SML 668), and one (AKM 8803) was resistant. Further, it was found that fourmungbean resistant genotypes of A1 namely Pant Mung1, Pant Mung5, HUM 12, and PUSA 9531 made one cluster at 55%similarity. Cluster B, again was subdivided into B1 and B2. B1 consisted a single genotype which was a cross between IPU99-25* SPS5 while, B2 consisted of the rest of the twelve genotypes. It was interesting to see that two resistant (IPU 02-33and IPU 6-02) and two susceptible (LBG 20 and T9) genotypes of Urd bean made separate cluster with a similarity of 99 percent and which indicated that though genotypes are differing at resistant locus, they are highly similar at all other loci

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