NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository Collection: IJBT Vol.05(1) [January 2006]

Occurrence of Iris mild mosaic potyvirus in cultivated iris in India

Title: Occurrence of Iris mild mosaic potyvirus in cultivated iris in India

Authors: Kulshrestha, Saurabh; Hallan, Vipin; Raikhy, Gaurav; Ram, Raja; Garg, I D; Haq, Q M R; Zaidi, A A

Abstract: Iris (Iris x hollandica Hort. cv. Bluemagic) plants showing mosaic symptoms were tested for the presence of Iris mild mosaic potyvirus (IMMV) by host range, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using antibodies specific for IMMV), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunocapture reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (IC-RT-PCR) using potyvirus group specific primers and antibodies specific to IMMV, immune electron microscopy and cytopathology. Presence of IMMV was detected by ELISA, confirmed by RT-PCR, IC-RT-PCR, IEM, cytopathology and sequencing of the cloned PCR product. From the sequence of the virus, specific primers were designed and specific detection of IMMV from iris was standardized.

Page(s): 94-98

Molecular characterization of different breeding groups of outbred Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Title: Molecular characterization of different breeding groups of outbred Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Authors: Maity, B; Guru, P Y

Abstract: Two RAPD primers and 15 protein biochemical markers were examined to assess the zygosity (hetero/homozygocity) and per cent polymorphisms in monogamous (IM: IF) and triogamous (1M:2F) breeding groups of outbred Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). No polymorphism and heterozygosity were found in RAPD as well as biochemical markers in monogamous groups, whereas both primers in RAPD (%P=55%) and the seven biochemical markers (Alb-1, Es-2, Es-3, Hbb, Idh-1, Pgm-1 and Trf -1) showed polymorphism. On the basis of 15 biochemical markers, genetic variability in terms of per cent polymorphisms (%P=40%), observed heterozygosity (Hob=0.069±0.013), expected heterozygosity (He=0.214±0.277) were observed in triogamous groups. The reproductive performance was severely affected in monogamous groups (colony index, CI=0.33) due to the loss of heterozygosity within the population, whereas the best reproductive performance (CI =0.77) was achieved in heterozygous, triogamous groups.

Page(s): 47-53

Stable integration, expression and inheritance of the ferritin gene in transgenic elite indica rice cultivar BR29 with enhanced iron level in the endosperm

Title: Stable integration, expression and inheritance of the ferritin gene in transgenic elite indica rice cultivar BR29 with enhanced iron level in the endosperm

Authors: Khalekuzzaman, M; Datta, K; Oliva, N; Alam, M F; Joarder, 0 I; Datta, S K

Abstract: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major crop providing staple diet for more than half of the world's population, but it does not fulfill the recommended daily dietary allowance. Moreover, milling of rice grain causes considerable losses of nutrients,including iron. Iron deficiency is a global nutritional problem. About 3.5 billion people in the developing world suffer from iron-deficiency anemia, of which 50% is dietary in origin. To increase iron storage in rice, we introduced the ferritin gene driven by an endosperm-specific glutelin promoter into a Bangladeshi rice cultivar, BRRl Dhan 29 (BR29), using the biolistic method. Analysis demonstrated integration, inheritance and expression of the ferritin gene up to the T3 generation.The iron content in seeds was estimated by using the ICP (Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma) Spectrometer. All transgenic plants accumulated higher levels of iron in the grain, with as much as 9.2 mg/kg versus the control (3.8 mg/kg). A histochemical reaction of the thin microtome section revealed the presence of iron in the endosperm cells of the transgenic grain. This finding suggests that homozygous rice lines with enhanced iron content developed by genetic engineering could help overcome iron deficiency in developing countries.

Page(s): 26-31

In vitro flowering and rapid propagation of Vitex negundo L.—A medicinal plant

Title: In vitro flowering and rapid propagation of Vitex negundo L.—A medicinal plant

Authors: Vadawale, A V; Barve, D M; Dave, A M

Abstract: In vitro flowering and an efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for the woody, aromatic and medicinal shrub Vitex negundo (Verbenaceae) by the in vitro culture of nodal segments of mature plant. Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with 4.4 M N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.53 M α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were found to develop fully functional flowers. MS medium supplemented with 4.4 M BAP and 0.53 M NAA induced an average of five shoots per node and was the best for axillary bud proliferation. Subsequent cultures enhanced the number of shoots. Full strength MS solid medium with 3.69 M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) exhibited the best in vitro rooting. Ninety per cent of the rooted shoots survived when transferred to green house and subsequently to the field.

Page(s): 112-116