CRISPR/Cas9 editing of endogenous banana streak virus in the B genome of Musa spp. overcomes a major challenge in banana breeding

Open Access Journal; Published online: 31 Jan 2019Presence of the integrated endogenous banana streak virus (eBSV) in the B genome of plantain (AAB) is a major challenge for breeding and dissemination of hybrids. As the eBSV activates into infectious viral particles under stress, the progenitor Musa balbisiana and its derivants, having at least one B genome, cannot be used as parents for crop improvement. Here, we report a strategy to inactivate the eBSV by editing the virus sequences. The regenerated genome-edited events of Gonja Manjaya showed mutations in the targeted sites with the potential to prevent proper transcription or/and translational into functional viral proteins. Seventy-five percent of the edited events remained asymptomatic in comparison to the non-edited control plants under water stress conditions, confirming inactivation of eBSV into infectious viral particles. This study paves the way for the improvement of B genome germplasm and its use in breeding programs to produce hybrids that can be globally disseminated

Optical Coefficients and PL Spectra with Variation in Ga-content in GaSeTe Thin Films: Visible Spectrum

The optical properties (transmission and emission) for Ga[x]Se[85 – x]Te[15](x = 0, 2, 6, 10, 15) semiconductor were studied using UV Visible spectra and PL Spectra of thermally evaporated thin films. Optical band gap is found to be decreasing with increased Ga-content in the compositions. Increase in refractive index, dielectric constants and absorption coefficient is observed in the wavelength region 550-850 nm.The fall in the optical band gap is explained with chemical bond approach and electro negativity. The increase in refractive index (n) is interpreted in association to the mean coordination number and cohesive energy. Direct band gap is found to be allowed in these thin films

Kinetics of Amorphous-Crystalline Transformation of Some Se-Te-In Chalcogenide Glasses Using Gao and Wang Model

The present study reports the assessment of activation energy for crystallization and crystallization reaction order (Avrami exponent n) for the amorphous-crystallization transformation process of Se85 − xTe15Inx (x 2, 6 and 10) amorphous alloys using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique under non-isothermal conditions at four different heating rates (5, 10, 15 and 20 °C/min) through Gao and Wang model. The introduction of In to the Se-Te system is found to bring a change in crystallization mechanisms and dimensions of growth. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3101

Soil properties under different land use systems of Mizoram, North East India

Changes in land use and improper soil management have led to severe land degradation around the globe through the modification in soil physicochemical and biological processes. This study aimed to assess the soil properties of different land use system types. Soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were collected from five land uses; Rubber Plantation (RP), Oil Palm Plantation (OPP), Bamboo Forest (BF), Fallow Land (FL) and Natural Forest (NF) and analyzed for bulk density, soil texture, soil pH, soil moisture, soil carbon, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, soil microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration. Soil pH was lower than 4.9 in all the sites indicating that the surface soil was highly acidic. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) values ranged from 2.02% to 2.81% and 0.22% to 0.3% respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and soil microbial biomass (SMBC) were highly affected by soil moisture. NH4+-N and NO3--N ranged from 5.6 mg kg-1 to 10.2 mg kg-1 and 1.15 mg kg-1 to 2.81 mg kg-1 respectively. NF soils showed the maximum soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) whereas the minimum was observed in BF with values ranging from 340 mg kg-1 to 345 mg kg-1. Basal respiration was highest in RP (375 mg CO2 m-2 hr-1) and lowest in BF (224 mg CO2 m-2 hr-1). The findings demonstrated significant effect (p<0.05) of land use change on soil nutrient status and organic matter. Findings also indicated that land use change deteriorated native soil physicochemical and biological properties, but that land restoration practices through longer fallow period (>10 years) likely are successful in promoting the recovery of some soil characteristics

Genetic divergence and its implication in breeding of desired plant type in coriander -Coriandrum sativum L.-

Seventy germplasm lines of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) of diverse eco-geographical origin were undertaken in present investigation to determine the genetic divergence following multivariate and canonical analysis for seed yield and its 9 component traits. The 70 genotypes were grouped into 9 clusters depending upon the genetic architecture of genotypes and characters uniformity and confirmed by canonical analysis. Seventy percent of total genotypes (49/70) were grouped in 4 clusters (V, VI, VIII and IX), while apparent diversity was noticed for 30 percent genotypes (21/70) that diverged into 5 clusters (I, II, III, FV, and VII). The maximum inter cluster distance was between I and IV (96.20) followed by III and IV (91.13) and I and VII (87.15). The cluster VI was very unique having genotypes of high mean values for most of the component traits. The cluster VII had highest seeds/umbel (35.3 ± 2.24), and leaves/plant (12.93 ± 0.55), earliest flowering (65.05 ± 1.30) and moderately high mean values for other characters. Considering high mean and inter cluster distance breeding plan has been discussed to select desirable plant types

Status and socio-ecological dimensions of sacred groves in Northeast India

Sacred groves are among one of the best practices of biodiversity conservation used by the ethnic societies which are deeply associated with the religion and culture that significantly nurture nature. As these practices play a vital role in conserving socio-ecologically important species and protect threatened flora and fauna from extinction in different ecological zones. In northeast India, sacred groves are well connected with culture and society through religious beliefs of the population and their associated myths. Sacred groves cover a total of > 40,000 hectares of natural forest area in the five northeastern states of India. These forests house some of the most important and highly threatened species of plants. Wild relatives of present-day cultivated plants are found in these forests and hence act as the gene pool for these species. Social transformation and urbanization have a large impact on the structure and health of these forests and responsible for their destruction. Developmental projects like railways, roads, hydro-electric projects etc. have reportedly destroyed many groves in the past. Due to social transformation, the rate of activities like grazing, encroachment, cutting and collection of fuel wood, fruits and leaves has been increasing and posing a threat to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function in the future. Creating awareness about the social and ecological benefits of maintaining sacred groves among local people, especially youth, can help in reviving these practices and conserving them as a natural heritage for future generations is the need of the hour

Dielectric Properties and AC Conductivity Measurements of Amorphous Ge15Se85 Glass

In the present study, investigations of dielectric parameters viz dielectric constant (), dielectric loss () and AC conductivity measurements have been made for bulk chalcogenide Ge15Se85 glass in the frequency range 10 to 500 kHz within the temperature range from 300 to 390 K. The variation of dielectric constant and dielectric loss with frequency at room temperature is reported and discussed in the investigated glassy binary alloy. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3101

Ion-beam-assisted fabrication and manipulation of metallic nanowires

Metallic nanowires (NWs) are the key performers for future micro/nanodevices. The controlled manoeuvring and integration of such nanoscale entities are essential requirements. Presented is a discussion of a fabrication approach that combines chemical etching and ion beam milling to fabricate metallic NWs. The shape modification of the metallic NWs using ion beam irradiation (bending towards the ion beam side) is investigated. The bending effect of the NWs is observed to be instantaneous and permanent. The ion beam-assisted shape manoeuvre of the metallic structures is studied in the light of ion-induced vacancy formation and reconfiguration of the damaged layers. The manipulation method can be used for fabricating structures of desired shapes and aligning structures at a large scale. The controlled bending method of the metallic NWs also provides an understanding of the strain formation process in nanoscale metals

Synthesis and Characterization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) Dispersed ZnS Based Photocatalytic Activity

Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) based photocatalytic activity has been focused in solar hydrogen production and water treatment process because to their very strong redox reaction. Due to wide visible light range, ZnS becomes a promising semiconductor in formation of photocatalysts. The bandgap energies (Eg) of all prepared samples ZnS NCs and MWCNTs/ZnS nanocomposites were evaluated and Methylene Blue (MB) degradation study occurring of ZnS NCs and MWCNTs/ZnS nanocomposites were evaluated under visible light using UV-visible spectroscopy. The author found that removal rate of MB is greater than 95 percentage in the presence of MWCNTs/ZnS composites photocatalysts after 50 min. Crystalline grain size and structure of photocatalyst were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity can be associated by many factors like a suitable band gap in visible region, crystalline structure of nanocomposites and particle size in nanometer (nm) of the MWCNTs/ZnS nanocomposites. The suitable photocatalytic reaction and mechanisms of MB degradation also included in this article