Hybridity testing and heterosis in relation to genetic divergence in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under rice based cropping system

The present investigation was carried out to determine the genetic purity of the crosses in chickpea using SSR markers. The application of molecular markers SSR21 and SSR22 in F1 hybrids and their parental lines produced two bands indicating similarity among the hybrids and parental lines. The mixtures and off-types did not show similar banding pattern as compared to hybrids. The D2 analysis showed high amount of genetic diversity among parents and parental lines. The value of heterosis in a cross, JG 315 x ICCV 96029 was positive significantly higher for days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, secondary branches plant-1, pods plant, biological yield and seed yield plant-1, however, it was significantly negative only for 100 seed weight.

Molecular Characterization of Termitomyces Protoclones through PCR and RFLP Based DNA Typing

A total of five protoclones were successfully cultured on PDA medium out of regenerated twenty two colonies of Termitomyces protoplast and further studied. Liquid MYG grown mycelial tissue is used for protoplast isolation by enzymatic digestionin a mixture containing Lysing enzyme 2% and Cellulase R10 2% in 0.6 M mannitol. The incubation conditions like temperature, shaking and time were standardized at 24ºC, 60 rpm and 10 hours, respectively for healthy protoplasts liberation. The purified protoplasts showed an average yield of 1.2 × 107 cells/gm tissue with 31.60 ± 9.31% regeneration efficiency on specific medium and 77.12 ± 2.72% viability by FDA test. Four ISSR primers were used in this study resulting a total of 27 reproducible bands with mean value of 6.75. They showed similar banding pattern in all the lines with zero percent polymorphism ranged from 280 bp–2700 bp. The amplified rRNA-ITS gene showed ~600 bp size in gel and found a single restriction site for enzyme HaeIII in all the protoclones and parent with similar fragment size in all.

Variants of Tribulus species – a scientific study through DNA RAPD – molecular characterization

Gokshura a well-known drug in Ayurveda which is extensively used in many disease conditions like dysuria, asthma, diabetes, cough, oedema, cardiac disorders etc. Tribulus terrestris (Family – Zygophyllaceae) is an official source of Gokshura as per API. Five species of genus Tribulus are found throughout India with a slight morphological difference. In this study, three different species of Tribulus genus from different regions were subjected for molecular characterization by RAPD method. Analysis showed that three different samples gave clearly similar banding pattern with each of the random primers used and 80% similarity between the three samples were observed when the results were subjected to band scoring and analysis with clustering. Even through the micromorpholgical observations showed differentiating characters in mature carpels and intrastaminal glands of the selected species.

Polytene chromosomes of Simulium (Psaroniocompsa) daltanhani (Diptera: Simuliidae) from Central Amazonia, Brazil

Last-instar larvae of Simulium (Psaroniocompsa) daltanhani Hamada and Adler from a stream in Central Amazonia were analyzed cytologically by mapping their polytene chromosomes. Simulium daltanhani has the nucleolar organizer in the short arm of chromosome I, heterogametic females, and an absence of autosomal polymorphisms. The chromosomes carry multiple rearrangements relative to other analyzed members of the S. quadrifidum species group in the subgenus Psaroniocompsa. One-third of the chromosomal complement is rearranged relative to the sequence of S. ulyssesi, the species with the most similar banding pattern among studied members of the S. quadrifidum group.

Molecular characterization of antigen 24, a specific immunodominant antigen family from Leishmania infantum

Leishmania infantum immunoelectrophoretic antigen 24 (AG 24), a visceral leishmaniasis associated immunodominant antigen, has been characterized with a monospecific antiserum by combining SDS–PAGE, immunoblotting, metabolic labelling, radio-immunoprecipitation and in vitro poly A+ mRNA translation. AG 24 appeared to correspond to a multi-antigen family of 6–9 members ranging from 20 to 31 kDa and proteinic by nature with no post-translational modifications. A similar banding pattern was recognized by infection sera. AG 24 was not found exposed on the cell surface.

C-banded karyotypes of Brassica campestris, B. oleracea, and B. napus

The chromosome complements of three Brassica species, namely B. campestris (2n = 20), B. oleracea (2n = 18), and B. napus (2n = 38), were studied using the air-dry method and C-banding. Karyotypes and ideograms of late prophase chromosomes were constructed, since contracted metaphase chromosomes were generally not suitable for this purpose. The three species generally had a similar banding pattern, manifested in the presence of a centromeric C-band in all chromosomes and heterochromatic knobs at the telomeric end of some chromosomes. The centromeric C-bands were more pronounced in B. campestris than in B. oleracea. Depending on the centromeric position, the chromosomes were grouped into median, submedian, subterminal, and terminal types. All chromosome pairs were morphologically distinguishable. Only one nucleolar chromosome pair, with heterochromatic satellites, was observed in each species. When compared, it was possible to distinguish chromosomes of both B. campestris and B. oleracea type in B. napus, but conclusive evidence as to the origin of all chromosome pairs in B. napus was not at hand.Key words: Brassica, chromosomes, late prophase, C-bands, knob structures, karyotypes, idiograms.