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Not AvailableMicro RNAs (miRNAs) are single stranded, small and non-coding endogenous RNA molecules, which control the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level either by suppression or degradation. Because of its highly conserved nature, in silico methods can be employed to predict novel miRNAs in plant species. By using previously known plant miRNAs available at miRBase, we predicted 16 miRNAs, which belongs to 11 miRNA families, and also targets for seven potential miRNAs in coconut leaf transcriptome. A majority of these seem to encode transcription factors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of in silico prediction and characterization of miRNA from coconut. These findings form an useful resource for future research into miRNA prediction and function prediction in coconut and for studies on their experimental validation and functional analyses.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe morphological and molecular characterization of a large fruited coconut population was undertaken using twenty three morphological traits, six tender nut traits and eight fruit component traits. Fruit component analysis of the nuts of this accession indicated that they have low husk to nut weight ratio typical of the Niu vai type cultivated in South East Asia. The microsatellite analysis indicated that Vaibhavwadi coconut population (MAHT) is generally close to the South East Asian coconut accessions and has proximity with dwarf accessions in the conserved germplasm of India. Though, genetic assignment test did not identify this accession specifically with any particular cultivar in the microsatellite database, the probable origin of this type could be identified as Borneo Tall (60% similarity) a cultivar which is known to produce large coconuts. It is suggested to conserve the MAHT in the National Coconut Gene Bank of India for its utilization in the breeding programme.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe extent of genetic diversity among nineteen coconut accessions comprising collections from the Indian Ocean Islands were characterized with eight polymorphic microsatellite primers. The fixation index (Fst) was found to be higher (0.78) between Laccadive Micro (LMT) and Chowghat Orange Dwarf (COD) population and the lowest Fst value (0.04) was found among the population Guelle Rose Tall (GLT) and Sri Lankan Tall (SLT). An average Fst value of 0.48 was observed for the accessions indicating higher level of population differentiation among the accessions. The maximum genetic distance (2.29) was observed between Laccadive Green Tall (LGT) and Chowghat Orange Dwarf (COD). The minimum genetic distance (0.04) observed between Laccadive Micro(LMT) and Srilankan Tall (SLT). Overall, the within population variation was found to be higher (67%) than among the population variation (33%) for these coconut accessions. The clustering pattern distinguished two main groups among the Indian Ocean Islands population. The control population COD formed the first group and the remaining populations form the second group. The clustering within the second group revealed the relationship among the accessions under study and the information on possible migration of coconut types within the region which could be useful for planning future collections as well the utilization of conserved types.Not Availabl

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Virtual screening and <i>in vitro</i> evaluation of potential growth regulators against somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase (SERK) in <i>Cocos nucifera</i> L.

328-340Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the most recalcitrant species for in vitro regeneration and the efficiency of induction of somatic embryogenesis in coconut explants has remained low. However, with the advent of the genomics era, more information is now available on the involvement of many genes in the induction of somatic embryogenic pathway. Somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinases (SERKs), belonging to leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase super family are reported to play important roles in the process of somatic embryogenesis. In this study, homology based modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of a coconut SERK protein (CnSERK) was performed for exploring its structural features, functional characterization of its active sites and binding mechanisms of selected plant hormones and growth regulators by docking studies. The 3-D model for coconut SERK was constructed using structure neighbors of the protein in MODELLER and MD simulation was carried out using GROMACS for 5 ns. Fifteen plant growth regulators were docked with the target SERK protein using GLIDE software. An in vitro study was then carried out to compare the efficiency of three selected chemicals [adenine sulphate, glutathione and 22(S), 23(S)-homobrassinolide] in enhancing somatic embryogenesis from plumular explants of coconut. Plumular explants were from West Coast Tall cultivar of coconut and were inoculated into Eeuwens Y3 media supplemented with various concentrations of each of the three growth regulators. Among the three growth regulators, glutathione (100 µM) gave the best response for induction of both embryogenic calli and somatic embryogenesis. The results of this study might aid in the development of regeneration protocols for in vitro regeneration in coconut

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Microbiome of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Reveals a Potential Association with Non-Photosynthetic Cyanobacteria

Citrullus colocynthis grows in the sandy desert soil of the Arabian Peninsula with limited access to water, aside from occasional precipitation or dew. Understanding its ability to produce water-filled fruit and nutrient-rich seeds despite the harsh environment, can be useful for agricultural applications. However, information regarding the microbiome of C. colocynthis is lacking. We hypothesized that C. colocynthis associates with bacteria that aid its survival, like what has been observed in other desert plants. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene data to gain insight into the microbiome of C. colocynthis to identify its associated bacteria. In total, 9818 and 6983 OTUs were generated from root, soil, and leaf samples combined. Overall, bulk soils had the highest alpha diversity, followed by rhizosphere and root zone soils. Furthermore, C. colocynthis is associated with known plant-growth-promoting bacteria (including Acidobacteria, Bacterioidetes, and Actinobacteria), and interestingly a class of non-photosynthetic Cyanobacteria (Melainabacteria) that is more abundant on the inside and outside of the root surface than control samples, suggesting its involvement in the rhizophagy process. This study will provide a foundation for functional studies to further understand how C. colocynthis-microbes interactions help them grow in the desert, paving the path for possible agricultural applications