Assessment of cashew species for molecular diversity

Genetic diversity in ten accessions of cashew consisting of three wild species, four genotypes of cultivated species and three inter-specific hybrids was studied using RAPD, microsatellite (SSR) and Isozyme markers. Polymorphic bands generated with 11 RAPD primers, six primer pairs of SSR and Isozymes of six enzymes were used for analysis. A total of 151 bands were obtained with 123 polymorphic bands (81.5%) by combining the markers data. High percentage of polymorphism in markers and an average genetic similarity of 54% suggested high genetic variation and moderate diversity existing among the accessions. The Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic averaging cluster analysis made on genetic similarity grouped the accessions broadly into three major clusters. In these, Anacardium pumilum with its inter-specific hybrids and Anacardium orthonianum with its inter-specific hybrid clustered separately and only Anacardium occidentale clustered with Anacardium microcarpum indicating close affinity between these two species. Even morphologically these two species showed resemblance

<i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-IN">In vitro </span></i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-IN">regeneration of cashew <i>(Anacardium occidentale </i>L.)*</span>

384-390Axillary shoot bud proliferation (1-13 shoot buds per explant) was observed when shoot-tip/ nodal explants from in vitro grown seed lings of cashew were cultured on three fourth strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with thidiazuron (0.05 to 2 mg L-1) alone and or in combination with other plant growth regulators (BAP, NAA, IBA).Medium containing thidiazuron (0.1 mg L-1) in combination with NAA or IBA (0.1 mg L-1) showed maximum proliferation (>4.0 buds/explant). Roots were induced in vitro when individual shoots were initially cultured on half strength MS semi-solid medium with auxins and subsequently transferred to hormone free half-strength MS medium. Medium containing NAA (5mg L-1) or AA plus IBA (2.5 mg L-1 each) combination induced maximum rooting (50%). Liquid medium gave higher percentage of rooting than agar medium. WPM liquid medium containing 2.5 mg L-1 each of NAA and IBA was found best for rooting in vitro with 80% response. Ex vitro rooting was also observed but to a limited extent (12.5%). Rooted plantlets were hardened both in lab and green house and 29 of them have been field planted for further evaluation

Regional Research Station, RRII, Dapchari, Maharashtra, India

Assessment of genetic diversity in 146 accessions of cashew using RAPD and ISSR markers and its phenotypic evaluation carried out on14 traits revealed considerable variability existing among the accessions. An association analysis was carried out using 96 polymorphic markers (40 RAPD and 56 ISSR) used in diversity analysis with the 14 phenotypic traits studied. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed 24 markers in RAPD, 33 markers in ISSR and 48 combined (RAPD and ISSR) markers associating with at least one or more of the phenotypic traits. Several markers associating with a single phenotypic trait and a single marker associating simultaneously with several phenotypic traits (pleiotropy) were observed. The number of markers regressing on each phenotype varied from 1 to 8 in RAPD, 3 to 10 in ISSR and from 3 to 12 with combined markers. Maximum number of RAPD markers (8) were associated with sex ratio followed by 5 markers for flowering intensity (%) and 4 markers for tree spread. Similarly, highest numbers of ISSR markers (10) were associated with inter-node length followed by 8 markers each for percentage of flowering intensity and sex ratio. Highest numbers of combined markers (13) were associated with twig diameter followed by 12 markers for flowering intensity, 11 markers for inter-node length and 10 markers for sex ratio. Least number of markers (1-3) were associated with apple weight followed by number of leaves /twig and kernel weight. R2 value improved with inclusion of ISSR and combined markers. Markers with significant association are of value if deployed in MAS after due validation

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Not AvailableThe paper describes the results of pollen fertility of cultivated and three wild species of cashew and its relevance for cashew breedingNot Availabl

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Not AvailableIn cashew, dwarf and compact canopy types have been developed at Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur by using the cultivars named Bhaskara, NRCC Selection-2 and Ullal-3 as female parents and dwarf and/or compact types, namely Taliparamba-1, Kodippady-2 and NRC-492(exotic dwarf type) as male parents, with a total of 9 combinations during 2008 and successful crosses were field planted during 2009. Lower means for plant height, girth and canopy spread, which are desirable features for evolving dwarf and compact types were observed in Ullal-3 x Taliparmba-1 (2.51m, 22.60cm and 2.40 sq.m. respectively). Said combination was associated with lower mean value for nut yield. The mean plant height, girth, canopy spread and nut yield per tree in the first harvest was more in Ullal-3 X NRC-492 (3.08m, 26.17cm, 3.16 sq.m., 1.01kg, respectively) compared to other crosses. The cross Bhaskara X Taliparamba1 exhibited higher percentage of dwarf plants (56.36) followed by Ullal-3 X Taliparamba-1 (50.0) with desirable height (<2.5m). For compact canopy (<3.0 m), the cross Ullal-3 X Taliparamba1 was found superior (77.28% plants) followed by Bhaskara X Taliparamba-1 (74.55%).Not Availabl

Identification of unique subset of cashew germplasm using DNA marker analysis

363-374Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is an important edible nut crop of India and other tropical regions. Its utility depends on characterization of germplasm resources by molecular and morphological markers. A study was initiated on 172 cashew germplasms to assess their genetic diversity and population variation based on a combination of both RAPD and ISSR markers. Using selected 9 and 10 primers of RAPD and ISSR, a total of 46 and 56 polymorphic bands with 86.9 and 91.8% polymorphism were generated, respectively. For better genetic differentiation, markers data from both (RAPD+ISSR) were combined and obtained a total of 107 bands, of which 96 bands (89.7%) were polymorphic with an average of 5.05 polymorphic bands per primer. High percentage of polymorphism (86.9-91.8%) observed with different markers indicated high level of genetic variation existing among the accessions. Co-efficient of genetic similarity (Jaccard&rsquo;s) between different pair of accessions varied from 0.43 to 0.94 in RAPD, 0.38 to 0.89 in ISSR and 0.38 to 0.86 with combined markers suggested a genetic diversity (dissimilarity) ranging 6 to 57%, 11 to 62% and 14 to 62%, respectively. An average diversity around 50% indicated moderate diversity existing among the accessions. The cluster diagram based on combined markers distinguished 172 accessions into 17 clusters. Some correspondence was observed between the molecular groupings and the morphological clusters. Among the accessions, NRC-432 and NRC-119 were highly divergent and NRC-216 and NRC-235 were highly similar. A &lsquo;Subset&rsquo; of 63 accessions were identified, which included unique genotypes like CNSL free types, purple genotype, dwarf types, wild species and diverse genotypes, which need to be conserved and used. Population differentiation based on number of alleles, Shannon&rsquo;s information index and percentage of polymorphic loci indicated high genetic diversity in the collections and it was relatively more in Karnataka group, followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh; while genetic diversity was low in Orissa and West Bengal groups. Based on analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA), maximum (96%) genetic variation was observed within the population and least (4%) genetic variation was noticed between the populations (subsets). On the basis of present study, suggestions were made for the type of collections to be used for the conservation of cashew

Devising focused strategies to improve organ donor registrations: A cross-sectional study among professional drivers in coastal South India.

BACKGROUND:In India, annually, 500,000 people die due to non-availability of organs. Given the large proportion of brain death amongst road accident victims, any improvement in organ donation practices amongst this cohort could potentially address this deficit. In this study, we identify the potential areas for intervention to improve organ donation amongst professional drivers, a population more likely to suffer from road accidents. METHODS:300 participants were surveyed using a structured, orally-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding organ donation. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify key variables affecting intent to practice. RESULTS:Nearly half our participants had unsatisfactory knowledge and attitude scores. Knowledge and attitude was positively correlated, rs (298) = .247, p < .001, with better scores associated with a higher likelihood of intent to practice organ donation [AOR: 2.23 (1.26-3.94), p = .006; AOR: 12.164 (6.85-21.59), p < .001 respectively]. Lack of family support and fear of donated organs going into medical research were the key barriers for the same [AOR: 0.43 (0.19-0.97), p = .04; AOR: 0.27 (0.09-0.85), p = .02 respectively]. CONCLUSION:Targeted health-education, behaviour change communication, and legal interventions, in conjunction, are key to improving organ donor registrations