International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
ICRISAT Open Access RepositoryNot a member yet
12134 research outputs found
Sort by
Red fluorescence protein (DsRed2) promotes the screening efficiency in peanut genetic transformation
Get PDFPeanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), one of the leading oilseed crops worldwide, is an important source of vegetable oil, protein, minerals and vitamins. Peanut is widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and America, and China is the largest producer and consumer of peanut. Genetic engineering has shown great potential to alter the DNA makeup of an organism which is largely hindered by the low transformation and screening efficiency including in peanut. DsRed2 is a reporter gene widely utilized in genetic transformation to facilitate the screening of transformants, but never used in peanut genetic transformation. In this study, we have demonstrated the potential of the red fluorescence protein DsRed2 as a visual reporter to improve screening efficiency in peanut. DsRed2 was firstly expressed in protoplasts isolated from peanut cultivar Zhonhua 12 by PEG, and red fluorescence was successfully detected. Then, DsRed2 was expressed in peanut plants Zhonghua 12 driven by 35S promoter via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Red fluorescence was visually observed in calli and regenerated shoots, as well as in roots, leaves, flowers, fresh pod shells and mature seeds, suggesting that transgenic screening could be initiated at the early stage of transformation, and continued to the progeny. Upon screening with DsRed2, the positive plant rate was increased from 56.9% to 100%. The transgenic line was then used as the male parent to be crossed with Zhonghua 24, and the hybrid seeds showed red fluorescence as well, indicating that DsRed2 could be applied to hybrid plant identification very efficiently. DsRed2 was also expressed in hairy roots of Huayu 23 via Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation, and the transgenic roots were easily selected by red fluorescence. In summary, the DsRed2 is an ideal reporter to achieve maximum screening efficiency and accuracy in peanut genetic transformation
Nutrient profiling of lablab bean (Lablab purpureus) from north-eastern India: A potential legume for plant-based meat alternatives
No full textBecause of their high protein content, legumes are becoming increasingly important as a base for many functional food products. However, the presence of nutrition inhibitors is the biggest barrier to using legumes. In the current study, eleven local accessions of Lablab purpureus (Linn.) Sweet collected from various locations in Arunachal Pradesh – a global biodiversity hotspot – were analysed for the morphological and biochemical characteristics of the pods. The analysis revealed considerable variation among the accessions in each characteristic. The length, width, and pod colour differed significantly. All accessions had a good nutritional composition and the levels of phytic acid – a major nutrient inhibitor – were extremely low (1.8–2.4 mg for every100g of tender pods), compared to its levels in accessions from other parts of India and in many other common leguminous vegetables. The low phytate content translates to enhanced bioavailability of minerals, making the immature pods a potential functional food and a valuable asset in overcoming malnutrition, especially in the developing countries. Besides, these local accessions can also make a valuable contribution in breeding superior cultivars of L. purpureus
Assessing the availability of potassium and its quantity-intensity relations under long term conservation agriculture based cereal systems in North-West India
No full textPotassium fertilization is often neglected and /or ignored leading to imbalanced fertilization under intensive cultivation especially in the Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP) in North-West India. Recently conservation agriculture (CA) with crop residue retention has become quite popular among the farmers and land practitioners in India and globally. Crop residues are generally rich in potassium (K) content and its continuous addition under CA may impact K dynamics and supply to crops to some extent. Keeping this in view, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of long-term cereal-based CA on K supplying capacity in soil of North-West India. Both routine method (neutral normal ammonium acetate extractable) and quantity-intensity (Q/I) approach were adopted to predict K supply under CA vis-à-vis conventional agriculture. Available K and Q/I parameters were analyzed after 11 years of an experimental setup consisting of six scenarios i.e. Scenario 1 (Sc1): conventional till rice-wheat cropping system; Scenario 2 (Sc2): partial CA based rice-wheat-mungbean system; Scenario 3 (Sc3): full CA based rice-wheat-mungbean system; Scenario 4 (Sc4): full CA based maize-wheat-mungbean system; Scenario 5 (Sc5) and 6 (Sc6): same as Sc3 and Sc4 but with sub surface drip irrigation system. Results revealed that full CA based scenarios maintained significantly higher (p < 0.05) available K (145 mg kg−1) than Sc1 (86 mg kg−1). However, it was observed that Q/I approach helped in better understanding of K supply under long term CA soils than routine method. Regarding K availability, Sc6 was the best scenario with high values of planar K (0.147 cmol kg−1), labile K (0.325 cmol kg−1) and potential buffering capacity (PBCK) while Sc1 (without K fertilization or residue addition) presented lowest values of Q/I parameters. Partial CA (Sc2) maintained higher labile K (0.368 cmol kg−1) and equilibrium concentration ratio (CRe0K) (1.93(mol L−1) 1/2 × 10−3) but very low PBCK (36.4 cmol kg−1 (mol L−1) −1/2) suggesting that K intensity shall not be sustained for long period of time and lead to soil K depletion over time. However, on an average, all full CA based scenarios maintained higher Q/I parameters over the conventional practice (Sc1), representing better ability to supply K both immediately and over a long period of time to meet crop requirement. The impact of maize-wheat-mungbean cropping system was prominently observed with respect to CRe0Kover rice-wheat-mungbean system; whereas the effect of irrigation method was not significantly distinguishable. The study thus highlights the potential of long term crop residue retention under CA for improving and maintaining K supply to crops
Development of a rapid process for purification of Bowman-Birk and Kunitz inhibitors from legume seeds, and evaluation of their biophysical, insecticidal, and antimicrobial properties
No full textBowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI ~10 kDa) and Kunitz inhibitor (KI ~20 kDa) are serine protease/proteinase inhibitor(s) [PI(s)] ubiquitously found in several Leguminous plant species with insecticidal and therapeutic properties. Due to narrow molecular mass differences, the separation of these inhibitors from a single seed variety is tedious. The present study is aimed to develop a rapid protocol (<24 h) for purifying BBI and KI from legume seeds using mild trichloroacetic acid (TCA) extraction followed by trypsin-affinity chromatography. The mature seeds of Vigna radiata and Cajanus platycarpus are used as a model to purify BBI and KI using this protocol. The BBI and KI purified from the seeds of V. radiata are labeled as VrBBI & VrKI, and C. platycarpus are labeled as CpBBI & CpKI, respectively. These PIs are confirmed by immunodetection and MALDI-TOF studies and further characterized for their structural (CD & fluorescence spectroscopy) and functional properties (temperature & DTT stability). BBI(s) purified using the above process are effective in the management of castor semi-looper ‘Achaea janata’, while KI(s) are effective in the management of pod borer ‘Helicoverpa armigera’. Besides, both BBI(s) and KI(s) have significant potential in controlling the growth of methicillin-sensitive ‘Staphylococcus aureus’, a gram-positive pathogenic bacterium
Genome‑wide association studies reveal novel loci for resistance to groundnut rosette disease in the African core groundnut collection
Get PDFGroundnut is cultivated in several African countries where it is a major source of food, feed and income. One of the major constraints to groundnut production in Africa is groundnut rosette disease (GRD), which is caused by a complex of three agents: groundnut rosette assistor luteovirus, groundnut rosette umbravirus and its satellite RNA. Despite several years of breeding for GRD resistance, the genetics of the disease is not fully understood. The objective of the current study was to use the African core collection to establish the level of genetic variation in their response to GRD, and to map genomic regions responsible for the observed resistance. The African groundnut core genotypes were screened across two GRD hotspot locations in Uganda (Nakabango and Serere) for 3 seasons. The Area Under Disease Progress Curve combined with 7523 high quality SNPs were analyzed to establish marker-trait associations (MTAs). Genome-Wide Association Studies based on Enriched Compressed Mixed Linear Model detected 32 MTAs at Nakabango: 21 on chromosome A04, 10 on B04 and 1 on B08. Two of the significant markers were localised on the exons of a putative TIR-NBS-LRR disease resistance gene on chromosome A04. Our results suggest the likely involvement of major genes in the resistance to GRD but will need to be further validated with more comprehensive phenotypic and genotypic datasets. The markers identified in the current study will be developed into routine assays and validated for future genomics-assisted selection for GRD resistance in groundnut
Prospects for developing allergen-depleted food crops
Get PDFIn addition to the challenge of meeting global demand for food production, there are increasing concerns about food safety and the need to protect consumer health from the negative effects of foodborne allergies. Certain bio-molecules (usually proteins) present in food can act as allergens that trigger unusual immunological reactions,
with potentially life-threatening consequences. The relentless working lifestyles of the modern era often incorporate poor eating habits that include readymade prepackaged and processed foods, which contain additives such as peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy-based products, rather than traditional home cooking. Of the predominant
allergenic foods (soybean, wheat, fish, peanut, shellfish, tree nuts, eggs, and milk), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are the best characterized source of allergens, followed by tree nuts (Juglans regia, Prunus amygdalus, Corylus avellana, Carya illinoinensis, Anacardium occidentale, Pistacia vera, Bertholletia excels), wheat (Triticum aestivum), soybeans (Glycine max), and kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). The
prevalence of food allergies has risen significantly in recent years including chance of accidental exposure to such foods. In contrast, the standards of detection, diagnosis,
and cure have not kept pace and unfortunately are often suboptimal. In this review, we mainly focus on the prevalence of allergies associated with peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soybean, and kidney bean, highlighting their physiological properties and functions as well as considering research directions for tailoring allergen gene expression. In particular, we discuss how recent advances in molecular breeding, genetic engineering, and genome editing can be used to develop potential low allergen food crops that protect consumer health
Impact of Climate Change on Soil Activity (Nitrifying, Denitrifying) and Other Interactions
Get PDFThough the soil is our motherland, it directly influences quantitative and qualitative crop traits, which determine food security and human health. Unfortunately, it is a complicated environment for microbes, and the anatomy and physiology of microorganisms in soil are immensely complicated. These ambiguities make it difficult to forecast the consequences of climate change on the behavior of soil microorganisms. Drought stress is currently the most severe Impact of climate change and significant, concerning, and dangerous abiotic stresses that cause changes in the soil environment that influence soil organisms such as microbes and plants. It alters the functionality and activity of soil microorganisms in charge of essential ecosystem services and processes. Due to the decrease in microbial activity and production of enzymes (such as oxidoreductases, hydrolases, dehydrogenases, catalase, urease, phosphatases, and glucosidase) and disruption of microbial structure caused by these stress conditions, soil fertility declines, plant productivity falls, and economic loss occurs. To identify more effective strategies for reducing the effects of drought and managing agricultural activities under challenging conditions profitably, a thorough understanding of many factors is needed to address potential approaches like genome editing and molecular analysis (metagenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics)
Whole genome resequencing identifies candidate genes and allelic diagnostic markers for resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum infection in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Get PDFBacterial wilt disease (BWD), caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a major challenge for peanut production in China and significantly affects global peanut field productivity. It is imperative to identify genetic loci and putative genes controlling resistance to R. solanacearum (RRS). Therefore, a sequencing-based trait mapping approach termed “QTL-seq” was applied to a recombination inbred line population of 581 individuals from the cross of Yueyou 92 (resistant) and Xinhuixiaoli (susceptible). A total of 381,642 homozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 98,918 InDels were identified through whole genome resequencing of resistant and susceptible parents for RRS. Using QTL-seq analysis, a candidate genomic region comprising of 7.2 Mb (1.8–9.0 Mb) was identified on chromosome 12 which was found to be significantly associated with RRS based on combined Euclidean Distance (ED) and SNP-index methods. This candidate genomic region had 180 nonsynonymous SNPs and 14 InDels that affected 75 and 11 putative candidate genes, respectively. Finally, eight nucleotide binding site leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) putative resistant genes were identified as the important candidate genes with high confidence. Two diagnostic SNP markers were validated and revealed high phenotypic variation in the different resistant and susceptible RIL lines. These findings advocate the expediency of the QTL-seq approach for precise and rapid identification of candidate genomic regions, and the development of diagnostic markers that are applicable in breeding disease-resistant peanut varieties
Whole genome resequencing and phenotyping of MAGIC population for high resolution mapping of drought tolerance in chickpea
Get PDFTerminal drought is one of the major constraints to crop production in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). In order to map drought tolerance related traits at high resolution, we sequenced multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population using whole genome resequencing approach and phenotyped it under drought stress environments for two consecutive years (2013–14 and 2014–15). A total of 52.02 billion clean reads containing 4.67 TB clean data were generated on the 1136 MAGIC lines and eight parental lines. Alignment of clean data on to the reference genome enabled identification of a total, 932,172 of SNPs, 35,973 insertions, and 35,726 deletions among the parental lines. A high-density genetic map was constructed using 57,180 SNPs spanning a map distance of 1606.69 cM. Using compressed mixed linear model, genome-wide association study (GWAS) enabled us to identify 737 markers significantly associated with days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, 100 seed weight, biomass, and harvest index. In addition to the GWAS approach, an identity-by-descent (IBD)-based mixed model approach was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The IBD-based mixed model approach detected major QTLs that were comparable to those from the GWAS analysis as well as some exclusive QTLs with smaller effects. The candidate genes like FRIGIDA and CaTIFY4b can be used for enhancing drought tolerance in chickpea. The genomic resources, genetic map, marker-trait associations, and QTLs identified in the study are valuable resources for the chickpea community for developing climate resilient chickpeas
Application of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing for abiotic stress management in crop plants
Get PDFAbiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, cold, heat, and heavy metals, extensively reducing global agricultural production. Traditional breeding approaches and transgenic technology have been widely used to mitigate the risks of these environmental stresses. The discovery of engineered nucleases as genetic scissors to carry out precise manipulation in crop stress-responsive genes and associated molecular network has paved the way for sustainable management of abiotic stress conditions. In this context, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-Cas (CRISPR/Cas)-based gene-editing tool has revolutionized due to its simplicity, accessibility, adaptability, flexibility, and wide applicability. This system has great potential to build up crop varieties with enhanced tolerance against abiotic stresses. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on understanding the mechanism of abiotic stress response in plants and the application of CRISPR/Cas-mediated gene-editing system towards enhanced tolerance to a multitude of stresses including drought, salinity, cold, heat, and heavy metals. We provide mechanistic insights on the CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technology. We also discuss applications of evolving genome editing techniques such as prime editing and base editing, mutant library production, transgene free and multiplexing to rapidly deliver modern crop cultivars adapted to abiotic stress conditions