Analysis of genetic diversity in female, male and half sibs willow genotypes through RAPD and SSR markers

Willows belong to the genus Salix (Salicaceae) and consist of large number of species with large phenotypic variations. As a result, it has a low diagnostic value for identifying pure species and interspecific hybrids. Genetic characterization of 34 reference genotypes (4 female, 10 male, and 20 half sibs) of Salix collected from Naganji Nursery of University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India were analyzed using 10 SSRs and 15 RAPDs PCR-based molecular markers. RAPD analysis yielded 87 polymorphic fragments (98.9%), with an average of 5.8 polymorphic fragments per primer. Similarly, SSR analysis produced 33 bands, out of which 26 were polymorphic (78.8%) with an average of 2.6 polymorphic fragments per primer. The genetic diversity was high among the genotypes (Nei’s genetic diversity = 0.468 and Shannon’s information index = 0.659) as measured by combination of both RAPD and SSR markers. The mean coefficient of gene differentiation (Gst) was 0.034, indicating 96.6% of the genetic diversity resided within the genotypes. The genetic diversity among genotypes of Salix sp. was found to be high, suggesting the importance and feasibility of introducing elite genotypes from different origins for Salix germplasm conservation and breeding programs.Keywords: Salix sp., half sibs, molecular markers, genomic DNA fingerprinting.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(29), pp. 4578-458

Effect of long term application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on productivity and water use efficiency of pearl millet under rainfed condition

Not AvailableEffect of long term application of organic and inorganic fertilizer on productivity and water use efficiency of pearl millet under rainfed conditionNot Availabl

Genetic relationship among Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) genotypes cultivars from different races based on quantitative traits and random amplified polymorphic DNA marker

Genetic improvement of the thirty Hyacinth bean cultivars from different races were evaluated using RAPD markers which is essential to enhance the crop for economically and agriculturally important traits. RAPD markers were efficient in separating cultivars according to different races. Twenty sixdecamer primers could generate a total number of 148 bands out which 70.27% (104) were polymorphic. The number of amplification products produced by each primer varied from 4 to 9 with an average of5.69 bands per primer. The size of amplified fragments ranged from 250 to 3000 bp. RAPD based dendrogram showed similarity ranged from 0.38 to 0.96. Genetic distances were concluded using Sorenson Dices similarity coefficient. The genetic relationship obtained with these markers wasdissimilar to that provided by morpho-agronomical trait. Genetically distinct cultivars were identified that could be potentially important source of germplasm for further crop improvement programme in the country

Relativistic scattering of a fast spinning neutron star by a massive black hole

The orbital dynamics of fast spinning neutron stars encountering a massive bh with unbounded orbits are investigated using the quadratic-in-spin mpd formulation. We consider the motion of the spinning neutron stars with astrophysically relevant speed in the gravity field of the BH. For such slow-speed scattering, the hyperbolic orbits followed by these neutron stars all have near the e = 1 eccentricity, and have distinct properties compared with those of e ≫ 1. We have found that compared with geodesic motion, the spin-orbit and spin-spin coupling will lead to a variation of scattering angles at spatial infinity, and this variation is more prominent for slow-speed scattering than fast-speed scattering. Such a variation leads to an observable difference in pulse-arrival-time within a few hours of observation, and up to a few days or months for larger BH masses or longer spinning periods. Such a relativistic pulsar-BH system also emits a burst of gravitational waves (GWs) in the sensitivity band of LISA, and for optimal settings, can be seen up to 100 Mpc away. A radio follow up of such a GW burst with SKA or FAST will allow for measuring the orbital parameters with high accuracy and testing the predictions of gr

Biocidal spectrum of a rice field cyanobacterium Nostoc sp.

The antimicrobial efficacy of hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of a rice-field cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp., were evaluated against cyanobacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. The maximum production of biocidal compounds was observed in cultures grown for 20 days under optimized conditions (phosphate =1.4 mg/l; light intensity ≈ 3000-4000 lux). Fractionation of the extracts showed six spots on silica-gel-coated plates. Hexane extract was the most potent biocide, showing marked (35-42%) reduction in the growth of fungi, but no negative influences on seed germination or seedling growth of wheat, rice and mung bean, emphasizing its suitability for use in agriculture.Keywords: Antifungal; extract; inhibition zone; metabolite; Pythium debaryanum; Rhizoctonia solan

Comparative assessment of air pollution tolerance index (APTI) in the industrial (Rourkela) and non industrial area (Aizawl) of India: An ecomanagement approach

Science for phyto-technologies has got immense application in air pollution science. The present study focuses on the determination of air pollution tolerance indices (APTI) from six common road side plant species growing along industrial (Rourkela) and non industrial area (Aizawl), India. The APTI was determined by synthesizing the four different physiological and biochemical parameters, that is, leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid content (AA), total leaf chlorophyll (TCh) and pH of leaf extract. The plant species selected for the study were Ficus bengalensis, Mangifera indica, Bougainvillea spectabilis, Psidium guajava, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Lantana camara. Reduction in total chlorophyll content and pH was found in the leaf samples of all selected plants collected from Industrial site (Rourkela) when compared with samples from non industrial site (Aizawl) whereas APTI, ascorbic acid and RWC were found to be higher in the plant samples of Industrial site (Rourkela) as compared to non industrial site (Aizawl). On the basis of APTI, F. bengalensis was found to be tolerant (8.64) in industrial site (Rourkela) and M. indica (7.95) in non industrial site (Aizawl). Plant species such as M. indica and B. spectabilis, showing minimum difference in their APTI values may be considered as tolerant for both (industrial and non industrial) sites.Key words: Air pollution tolerance indices (APTI), biochemical parameters, Ficus bengalensis, roadside plants