14 research outputs found
Ammonium Phytotoxicity and Tolerance: An Insight into Ammonium Nutrition to Improve Crop Productivity
No full textAmmonium sensitivity is considered a globally stressful condition that affects overall crop productivity. The major toxic symptom associated with ammonium nutrition is growth retardation, which has been associated with a high energy cost for maintaining ion, pH, and hormone homeostasis and, eventually, the NH3/NH4+ level in plant tissues. While certain species/genotypes exhibit extreme sensitivity to ammonium, other species/genotypes prefer ammonium to nitrate as a form of nitrogen. Some of the key tolerance mechanisms used by the plant to deal with NH4+ toxicity include an enhanced activity of an alternative oxidase pathway in mitochondria, greater NH4+ assimilation plus the retention of the minimum level of NH4+ in leaves, and/or poor response to extrinsic acidification or pH drop. Except for toxicity, ammonium can be considered as an energy-efficient nutrition in comparison to nitrate since it is already in a reduced form for use in amino acid metabolism. Through effective manipulation of the NH4+/NO3 − ratio, ammonium nutrition can be used to increase productivity, quality, and resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses of crops. This review highlights recent advancements in ammonium toxicity and tolerance mechanisms, possible strategies to improve ammonium tolerance, and omics-based understanding of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in plants
CRISPR for Crop Improvement: An Update Review
No full textThe availability of genome sequences for several crops and advances in genome editing approaches has opened up possibilities to breed for almost any given desirable trait. Advancements in genome editing technologies such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) has made it possible for molecular biologists to more precisely target any gene of interest. However, these methodologies are expensive and time-consuming as they involve complicated steps that require protein engineering. Unlike first-generation genome editing tools, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing involves simple designing and cloning methods, with the same Cas9 being potentially available for use with different guide RNAs targeting multiple sites in the genome. After proof-of-concept demonstrations in crop plants involving the primary CRISPR-Cas9 module, several modified Cas9 cassettes have been utilized in crop plants for improving target specificity and reducing off-target cleavage (e.g., Nmcas9, Sacas9, and Stcas9). Further, the availability of Cas9 enzymes from additional bacterial species has made available options to enhance specificity and efficiency of gene editing methodologies. This review summarizes the options available to plant biotechnologists to bring about crop improvement using CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing tools and also presents studies where CRISPR/Cas9 has been used for enhancing biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Application of these techniques will result in the development of non-genetically modified (Non-GMO) crops with the desired trait that can contribute to increased yield potential under biotic and abiotic stress conditions
Top and Side Lighting Induce Morphophysiological Improvements in Korean Ginseng Sprouts (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) Grown from One-Year-Old Roots
No full textNowadays, not only the roots, but also leaves and flowers of ginseng are increasingly popular ingredients in supplements for healthcare products and traditional medicine. The cultivation of the shade-loving crop, ginseng, is very demanding in terms of the light environment. Along with the intensity and duration, light direction is another important factor in regulating plant morphophysiology. In the current study, three lighting directions—top (T), side (S), or top + side (TS)—with an intensity of 30 ± 5 μmol·m−2·s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were employed. Generally, compared with the single T lighting, the composite lighting direction, TS, was more effective in shaping the ginseng with improved characteristics, including shortened, thick shoots; enlarged, thick leaves; more leaf trichomes; earlier flower bud formation; and enhanced photosynthesis. The single S light resulted in the worst growth parameters and strongly inhibited the flower bud formation, leading to the latest flower bud observation. Additionally, the S lighting acted as a positive factor in increasing the leaf thickness and number of trichomes on the leaf adaxial surface. However, the participation of the T lighting weakened these traits. Overall, the TS lighting was the optimal direction for improving the growth and development traits in ginseng. This preliminary research may provide new ideas and orientations in ginseng cultivation lodging resistance and improving the supply of ginseng roots, leaves, and flowers to the market
Analysis of genetic variation in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes with various agronomical traits using SPAR methods
No full textGenetic variation among 45 genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) representing seven subpopulations was
assessed using three single primer amplification reaction (SPAR) methods viz., inter-simple sequence repeat
(ISSR), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and directed amplification of minisatellite-region DNA
(DAMD). Totally 15 ISSR, 8 RAPD and 7 DAMD primers generated 263 amplification products, accounting for
84.6% polymorphism across all the genotypes. The Mantel's test of correlation revealed the best correlation between
ISSR and cumulative data with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.84. Assessment of population diversity indicated
that the maximum intra population genetic diversity was recorded among high FeZn lines (HFL) having
maximum values of Nei's genetic diversity (h) (0.244), Shannon information index (I) (0.368) and the percentage
of polymorphic loci (Pp) (72.65%) while the corresponding lowest values of 0.074, 0.109 and 17.95% respectively
were observed among the members of MDT subpopulation. The mean coefficient of gene differentiation
(GST) and the gene flow (Nm) between populations were observed to be 0.396 and 0.7680 respectively. The
analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested that maximum genetic variation exists within populations
(95%) than among populations (5%). Thus the information obtained from this study could be utilized in sorghum
breeding programmes for the development of varieties with improved nutrition and agronomic values in future
Experimental observation of Fano effect in Ag nanoparticle-CdTe quantum dot hybrid system
No full textEffects of Individual or Combined Deficiency of Phosphorous and Zinc on Phenotypic, Nutrient Uptake, and Molecular Responses of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana): A Nutri-Rich Cereal Crop
No full textDeficiencies of either phosphorus (P) or zinc (Zn) or both are one of the major abiotic constraints influencing agricultural production. Research on the effects of individual or combined P and Zn deficiency is limited in cereals. This study reports the effects of the individual or combined deficiency of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and Zn on the phenotypic, root hair modification, nutrient uptake, and molecular responses of finger millet (Eleusine coracana), a nutri-rich cereal crop. Finger millet seedlings were grown hydroponically under control (+Pi+Zn), individual Pi deficiency (−Pi), individual Zn deficiency (−Zn), and combined Pi and Zn deficiency (−Pi−Zn) conditions for 30 days to find the phenotypic, root hair modification, nutrient uptake, and molecular responses. Compared to the individual −Zn condition, the individual −Pi condition had more of an effect in terms of biomass reduction. The combined −Pi−Zn condition increased the root hair length and density compared to the other three conditions. The individual −Zn condition increased the Pi uptake, while the individual −Pi condition favored the Zn uptake. EcZIP2 was highly upregulated in shoot tissues under the individual −Zn condition, and EcPHT1;2 was highly expressed in root tissues under the individual −Pi condition. This is the first study to report the effects of the individual or combined deficiency of Pi and Zn in finger millet and may lead to future studies to better manage P and Zn deficiency
'Choice of law' in e-commerce consumer transaction: the freedom that needs protection
No full textA mind shift in the concepts of private international law is in dire need of a change not only because of the borderless nature of the Internet but for the evolution of a new way of life in the unfolding age of information and knowledge. Consumers are in dire need of protection to accord certainty and confidence of their rights and liabilities for any activities interplayed via the Internet. The current law is not feasible when consumers transacts via the Internet because the Internet is stated to be "structured logically and not geographically". Determining choice of law based on imputation of 'close connection', 'intention of the parties', 'place of business' are all geographically based. Businesses set up in the WWW need not have any physical presence. They can be run without any offices or other forms of business premise whereby their physical presence can be located. Thus, the fact that the Internet is under the predomination that is 'virtual' which encompass of mere networks, a paradigm shift in the mindset for determining choice of law based on physical presence is desired. Applying doctrinal analysis the author contends that the principles governing the private international law in Malaysia need to be redefined with a global outlook. Practices of comity for the protection of consumers need to be articulated in the conflict of laws. Private international law should not be left to the practice of the laissez-faire market which is opined to be myopic, interested only in the bottom line with no concern for social justice
Analysis of genetic variation in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) genotypes with various agronomical traits using SPAR methods
No full textpeer reviewedGenetic variation among 45 genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) representing seven subpopulations was
assessed using three single primer amplification reaction (SPAR) methods viz., inter-simple sequence repeat
(ISSR), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and directed amplification of minisatellite-region DNA
(DAMD). Totally 15 ISSR, 8 RAPD and 7 DAMD primers generated 263 amplification products, accounting for
84.6% polymorphism across all the genotypes. The Mantel's test of correlation revealed the best correlation between
ISSR and cumulative data with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.84. Assessment of population diversity indicated
that the maximum intra population genetic diversity was recorded among high FeZn lines (HFL) having
maximum values of Nei's genetic diversity (h) (0.244), Shannon information index (I) (0.368) and the percentage
of polymorphic loci (Pp) (72.65%) while the corresponding lowest values of 0.074, 0.109 and 17.95% respectively
were observed among the members of MDT subpopulation. The mean coefficient of gene differentiation
(GST) and the gene flow (Nm) between populations were observed to be 0.396 and 0.7680 respectively. The
analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested that maximum genetic variation exists within populations
(95%) than among populations (5%). Thus the information obtained from this study could be utilized in sorghum
breeding programmes for the development of varieties with improved nutrition and agronomic values in future
<em>Enterococcus hirae</em> bacteremia associated with perinephric collection and renal abscesses in a diabetic woman
No full text\ua9 The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press. Enterococcus hirae infection accounts for about 1% of all enterococcal infections. This number is likely to be underestimated because of inadequate identification. Human infection due to E. hirae is rarely reported. We present the case of a young woman with diabetes mellitus who developed symptoms of pyelonephritis and diabetic ketoacidosis. Renal computed tomography scan revealed the presence of subcapsular perinephric collection and renal abscesses. Her blood culture yielded E. hirae. Our patient was successfully treated with antimicrobials based on the susceptibility result. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of perinephric collection and renal abscesses associated with E. hirae bacteremia
