Pathotype and racial diversity of Ascochyta rabiei isolates in the India

Ascochyta blight is the most destructive disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) caused by the fungus Ascochyta rabiei, in areas where low temperature (15-25ºC) and high humid (>150mm rainfall) conditions during crop growth. The aim of the study was to determine the pathotypes and physiological races of thirty Ascochyta rabies isolates of India. Pathotypes and physiological races were identified using Ascochyta rabiei specific standard international chickpea differentials. Spore’s suspensions adjusted to 5×105 spores/ml using a haemocytometer and sprayed on 12 day old seedlings of differential lines. All the test isolates were classified into four pathotypes and five physiological races based on their aggressiveness and virulence, respectively. We found eight isolates (26.66%) from Pathotype I (Least aggressive), two isolates (6.66%) from Pathotype II (aggressive), fifteen isolates (50 %) from Pathotype III (more aggressive) and four isolates (13.33%) from pathotype IV (Highly aggressive, killed all the differentials). Predominant pathotype present in India was Pathotype III followed by pathotype I, Pathotype IV and Pathotype II. Five races such as Race 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were identified. The most predominant race was 5 followed by 1, 4, 7 and 6, respectively. Among the 30 Indian A.rabiei isolates tested for presence of mating types found in India through multiplex PCR, only MAT1-2 was found. The race 2 and 3 was not found in India and irrespective of locations multiple pathotypes and races have been identified. Authors are grateful to Science and Engineering Research Board, New Delhi for funding to carry out this researc

Зарубежный опыт в материальном стимулировании персонала

Материалы XVII Междунар. науч.-техн. конф. студентов, аспирантов и молодых ученых, Гомель, 27–28 апр. 2017 г

Reforms to Increase Teacher Effectiveness in Developing Countries: Systematic Review, September 2016

RLOsRLOsProvides high-quality evidence on reforms/interventions in education systems aimed at improving teacher effectiveness, at scale. This executive summary provides an overview of that key evidence to answer three review questions: RQ1. What is the evidence on the impacts of reforms/interventions of education systems, at scale, to increase teacher effectiveness on: the quality of teaching and on learning outcomes in low- and middle-income countries? RQ2. What is the evidence on the relationship between educational reforms/interventions for improving teacher effectiveness, at scale, and the quality of teaching and learning outcomes in low- and middle-income countries? RQ3. Where reforms/interventions to education systems to increase teacher effectiveness, at scale, have occurred, what is the evidence on how technical, financial and political barriers have been overcome?ESRC-DFI

Genome-Wide Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Yield-Attributing Traits of Peanut

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are important high-protein and oil-containing legume crops adapted to arid to semi-arid regions. The yield and quality of peanuts are complex quantitative traits that show high environmental influence. In this study, a recombinant inbred line population (RIL) (Valencia-C × JUG-03) was developed and phenotyped for nine traits under two environments. A genetic map was constructed using 1323 SNP markers spanning a map distance of 2003.13 cM. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using this genetic map and phenotyping data identified seventeen QTLs for nine traits. Intriguingly, a total of four QTLs, two each for 100-seed weight (HSW) and shelling percentage (SP), showed major and consistent effects, explaining 10.98% to 14.65% phenotypic variation. The major QTLs for HSW and SP harbored genes associated with seed and pod development such as the seed maturation protein-encoding gene, serine-threonine phosphatase gene, TIR-NBS-LRR gene, protein kinase superfamily gene, bHLH transcription factor-encoding gene, isopentyl transferase gene, ethylene-responsive transcription factor-encoding gene and cytochrome P450 superfamily gene. Additionally, the identification of 76 major epistatic QTLs, with PVE ranging from 11.63% to 72.61%, highlighted their significant role in determining the yield- and quality-related traits. The significant G × E interaction revealed the existence of the major role of the environment in determining the phenotype of yield-attributing traits. Notably, the seed maturation protein-coding gene in the vicinity of major QTLs for HSW can be further investigated to develop a diagnostic marker for HSW in peanut breeding. This study provides understanding of the genetic factor governing peanut traits and valuable insights for future breeding efforts aimed at improving yield and quality

Long non-coding RNA-mediated epigenetic response for abiotic stress tolerance in plants

Plants perceive environmental fluctuations as stress and confront several stresses throughout their life cycle individually or in combination. Plants have evolved their sensing and signaling mechanisms to perceive and respond to a variety of stresses. Epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in the regulation of genes, spatiotemporal expression of genes under stress conditions and imparts a stress memory to encounter future stress responses. It is quintessential to integrate our understanding of genetics and epigenetics to maintain plant fitness, achieve desired genetic gains with no trade-offs, and durable long-term stress tolerance. The long non-coding RNA >200 nts having no coding potential (or very low) play several roles in epigenetic memory, contributing to the regulation of gene expression and the maintenance of cellular identity which include chromatin remodeling, imprinting (dosage compensation), stable silencing, facilitating nuclear organization, regulation of enhancer-promoter interactions, response to environmental signals and epigenetic switching. The lncRNAs are involved in a myriad of stress responses by activation or repression of target genes and hence are potential candidates for deploying in climate-resilient breeding programs. This review puts forward the significant roles of long non-coding RNA as an epigenetic response during abiotic stresses in plants and the prospects of deploying lncRNAs for designing climate-resilient plants

Earthworm Grazed-Trichoderma harzianum Biofortified Spent Mushroom Substrates Modulate Accumulation of Natural Antioxidants and Bio-Fortification of Mineral Nutrients in Tomato

The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the impact of earthworm grazed and Trichoderma harzianum biofortified spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on natural antioxidant and nutritional properties of tomato. Results of the investigation reveal that earthworm grazing and T. harzianum bio-fortification led to significant improvement in the physico-chemical properties of fresh SMS and its application increased the accumulation of natural antioxidants and mineral content in tomato as compared to either T. harzianum biofortified SMS or fresh SMS. In particular, the earthworm grazed, T. harzianum biofortified SMS (EGTHB-SMS) was found to inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation with significant increase in total polyphenol and flavonoid content in tomato. Further, it increased Fe2+/Fe3+ chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity compared to other treatments. The results thus suggest an augmented elicitation of natural antioxidant properties in tomato treated with EGTHB-SMS, resulting in a higher radical scavenging activity, that is highly desirable for human health. In addition, the use of SMS to enhance the nutritional value of tomato fruits becomes an environment friendly approach in sustainable crop production