A Study on the Volatile Flavor Constituents of Sichuan Preserved Vegetable (Brassica juncea Czern et Coss.)

The volatile constituents of Sichuan Preserved vegetable (Brassica juncea) were separated by a distillation-extraction device, and 41 compounds were identified by tile GC-MS-DS, and with the retention index of GC. The samples were obtained by N2 blast adsorption with the Porapak Q as adsorbent. They were then eluted with ether and separated by the column chromatography of silica gel. The concentrate fractions obtained were again eluted with benzene and ether. It was identified that the con- centrate fractions possessed the characteristic odor of Preserved vegetable (Brassica juncea), and that the characteristic odor compounds were: 3-butenonitrile, phenyla- cetonitrile, 3-phenypropiononitrile, allyl isothiocyanate, 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate, di- methyl trisulfide, 1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene, 1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-benzene, 7-methoxybenzofuran. The result of this study may be helpful to improve the aroma quality of preserved vegetable, to develop its new varieties, and to research the aroma of food stuffs.     

Linked epistasis for six quantitative traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss)

Summary Gene effects, and interactions, and associations between days-to-flower initiation and maturity, number of secondary branches and siliquae per plant, and 1,000-seed weight and yield per plant were studied in a cross of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss) using the parents and F₁, F₂, F₃, B₁, B₂, B₁₁, B₁₂, B₂₁, B₂₂, B_1S, B_2S, B₁F₁, B₂F₁, B_1bip, B_2bip, F₂P₁, F₂F₁, and F_2bip generations. A linked digenic model was adequate for all characters studied. According to this model, the main effects, additive and interactions between linked pairs of genes, were present in varying proportions for days-to-flower initiation and maturity and number of siliquae per plant. The contribution of linked epistatic effects, however, was much greater than that of additive effects. Dominance effects contributed significantly to the inheritance of days-to-flower initiation. Duplicate epistasis was observed for all traits except 1,000-seed weight where epistasis was of the complementary type. A complete association among the genes of similar effect (increasing or decreasing) was observed for number of secondary branches and siliquae, and yield per plant. Coupling phase linkage was observed for days-to-flower initiation whereas repulsion phase linkage was observed for daysto-maturity and 1,000-seed weight.     

Mapping of QTLs for oil content and fatty acid composition in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. and Coss.]

An AFLP linkage map of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss was constructed using 88 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between an Indian cultivar ‘Varuna’ and an accession from Poland ‘BEC-144’. The map included 91 AFLP markers organized on 19 linkage groups covering a total map distance of 1679.1 cM. A total of 14 QTLs were detected for oil content (2 QTLs), erucic acid (2 QTLs), eicosenoic acid (2 QTLs), linolenic acid (3 QTLs), linoleic acid (3 QTLs) and palmitic acid (2 QTLs). A specific genomic region on LG2 was associated with contents of three fatty acids: erucic acid, eicosenoic acid and linoleic acid. Some of the markers showed absolute linkage with the QTLs associated with the levels of linolenic acid, linoleic acid and oil content. These markers may be used for improvement of fatty acid profile of B. juncea.     

Zinc application mitigates the adverse effects of NaCl stress on mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss] through modulating compatible organic solutes,antioxidant enzymes,and flavonoid content

This study examined the protective effect of Zn on salt-stressed Brassica juncea plants using some key morphological and biochemical attributes at different developmental stages (30, 60, and 90 days after treatment [DAT]). Salt stress (200?mM) caused suppression in plant height, root length, and dry weight by 58.35%, 41.15%, and 53.33%, respectively, at 90 DAT, but Zn application improved these variables by 15.52%, 16.59%, and 11.45%, respectively. Furthermore, 200?mM NaCl decreased total chlorophyll by 45.32% and relative water content by 27.62% at 90 DAT, whereas Zn application compensated the decrease in the levels of both variables. NaCl (200?mM) increased H₂O₂, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage by 70.48%, 35.25%, and 68.39%, respectively, at 90 DAT, but Zn supplementation appreciably reduced these variables. Except for catalase, enzymatic antioxidant activity increased under NaCl stress. Zn application with salt further increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase by 33.51%, 9.21%, 10.98%, 17.46%, and 12.87%, respectively, at 90 DAT. At 90 DAT, salt stress increased flavonoids by 24.88%, and Zn supply by a further 7.68%. Overall, Zn mitigated the adverse effects of salt stress through osmotic adjustment, as well as by modulating the oxidative defense system and flavonoid contents.     

Morphological and physio-biochemical characterization of Brassica juncea L. Czern. & Coss. genotypes under salt stress

Abstract

Soil salinity is one of the major factors responsible for the low productivity of crop plants and has become an increasing threat for agriculture. In this context, the selection of tolerant genotype/s may be one of the remedies. Keeping this in view, the effect of NaCl (0–120 mM) stress on shoot length (SL) plant^?1, area (A) leaf^?1, leaf area index (LAI), fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) plant^?1, stomatal conductance (g_s), net photosynthetic rate (P _N), total chlorophyll (Chl) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, sensitivity rate index (SRI), leaf- nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) content, leaf-K/Na ratio, nitrate reductase (NR: EC.1.6.6.1) and ATP-sulphurylase (ATP-S: EC.2.7.7.4) activities and proline (Pro) and glycinebetaine (GB) content of ten genotypes of Brassica juncea L. was studied at 55 and 65 days after sowing (DAS). NaCl treatments decreased all the above parameters, except Pro, GB, MDA, Na and SRI at both stages. Salt stress resulted in accumulation of Pro and GB, in all genotypes. The magnitude of increase in both osmolytes (Pro and GB) was higher in genotype G₈ than the other genotypes. Salt stress increased MDA and Na content while it decreased Chl, N and K content and K/Na ratio, Chl content, NR and ATP-S activities in all genotypes. But the magnitude of increase in MDA and Na content and decrease in SL plant^?1, A leaf^?1, LAI, P _N, g_s, Chl content and NR and ATP-S activities in genotype G₈ was more than that of other genotypes. These results suggest that the salt-tolerant genotype may have better osmotic adjustment and protection from free radicals by increasing the accumulation of Pro and GB content with overproduction of N and K and higher K/Na, NR and ATP-S activities under salinity stress.     

Towards an integrated linkage map of common bean 2. Development of an RFLP-based linkage map

Summary A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based linkage map for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) covering 827 centiMorgans (cM) was developed based on a F₂ mapping population derived from a cross between BAT93 and Jalo EEP558. The parental genotypes were chosen because they exhibited differences in evolutionary origin, allozymes, phaseolin type, and for several agronomic traits. The segregation of 152 markers was analyzed, including 115 RFLP loci, 7 isozyme loci, 8 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker loci, and 19 loci corresponding to 15 clones of known genes, 1 virus resistance gene, 1 flower color gene, and 1 seed color pattern gene. Using MAPMAKER and LINKAGE-1, we were able to assign 143 markers to 15 linkage groups, whereas 9 markers remained unassigned. The average interval between markers was 6.5 cM; only one interval was larger than 30 cM. A small fraction (9%) of the markers deviated significantly from the expected Mendelian ratios (121 or 31) and mapped into four clusters. Probes of known genes belonged to three categories: seed proteins, pathogen response genes, and Rhizobium response genes. Within each category, sequences homologous to the various probes were unlinked. The I gene for bean common mosaic virus resistance is the first disease resistance gene to be located on the common bean genetic linkage map.     

Genetic architecture of yield and components of yield in mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.)

Summary The relative ability of cross- and self-pollen to achieve fertilisation in Brassica was studied by making double pollinations using cross-pollen carrying a dominant seedling marker gene. With simultaneous self- and crosspollination 12–40% self-seed was set, but when cross-pollen was applied to the stigma four hours before self-pollen, only 2–4% self-seed was obtained. In two plants to which cross-pollen was applied at various time intervals after self-pollen there was a tendency for the percentage of self-seed to increase as the time interval increased. In a third plant this trend was not apparent, probably because of a greater degree of self-incompatibility. The competitive advantage of the first pollen to arrive on the stigma is discussed in relation to the strength of the self-incompatibility and the sib problem in F₁ hybrid brassicas.     

Cadmium-induced oxidative damage in mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] plants can be alleviated by salicylic acid

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on growth, activities of antioxidant enzymes and some physio-biochemical attributes in mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] plants exposed to cadmium (Cd) stress. Increasing concentrations of Cd led to decreased growth, shoot biomass, relative water content (RWC) and rate of photosynthesis (A). SA allayed the adverse effects of Cd on growth, RWC, and A, but the inhibitory effect of Cd on stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rate (E) was further promoted due to SA treatment. Cadmium-induced oxidative stress increased proline, lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage, but on exposure to SA, these parameters showed a marked decrease. Lower concentrations of Cd caused enhanced Cd transport into the plant. Cadmium suppressed the uptake of macro- and micro-nutrients, but exogenous application of SA restored the capability of plants to accumulate essential elements. SA mitigated the Cd-induced inhibition in the growth of mustard plants. Cadmium-induced increase in the activities of some key antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) was reduced by the exogenous application of SA. This reflects that SA might have acted as one of the potential antioxidants in mustard plants under Cd stress.     

Influence of paclobutrazol on growth and development of fruit in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss

Foliar spraying of paclobutrazol(5, 10 and 20 g mL^–1) on Brassica juncea (cv. RLM 514) plants, at the green floral bud stage of the terminal inflorescence, exerted a profound effect on growth and metabolism of fruits (siliquae). Paclobutrazol caused a decrease in siliqua length but enhanced significantly siliqua width, seed size (diameter) and seed number per siliqua. Paclobutrazol increased dry matter production and also hastened the relative growth rate of the siliqua wall and seed. In paclobutrazol-treated plants the siliquae were darker green, and during active phases of growth both siliqua wall and seed exhibited higher total chlorophyll (Chl) content, decreased chl a/b ratios, greater hill reaction activity of chloroplasts and increased activities of -amylase, -amylase and invertase than controls. Paclobutrazol enhanced the levels of total soluble sugars, starch, protein and free amino acids in mature seeds. The seed oil content increased by 2 to 3 per cent with a treatment of 10 g mL^–1 pacolobutrazol.     

Alternaria incidence in some alloplasmic lines of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Coss.)

Summary The cytoplasmic substitution lines of Brassica juncea (L.) Coss were evaluated for their field resistance to Alternaria blight (Alternaria brassicae). The euplasmic B. juncea cv. RLM 198 had a mesothetic reaction while alloplasmic B. juncea lines with cytoplasms of B. campestris, B. chinensis, and B. japonica were highly susceptible. B. nigra cytoplasm did not have any effect on the disease reaction of the B. juncea genome. However, the alloplasmic lines with the cytoplasm of B. napus and B. carinata revealed a comparatively higher degree of resistance. The study underlined the utility of cytoplasmic manipulations in modifying the phenotypic expression of nuclear genes.     

Accumulation, detoxification, and genotoxicity of heavy metals in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Plants of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were exposed to different concentrations (15, 30, 60, 120 microM) of (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb) for 28 and 56 d for accumulation and detoxification studies. Metal accumulation in roots and shoots were analyzed and it was observed that roots accumulated a significant amount of Cd (1980 microg g(-1) dry weight), Cr (1540 microg g(-1) dry weight), Cu (1995 microg g(-1) dry weight), and Pb (2040 microg g(-1) dry weight) after 56 d of exposure, though in shoot this was 1110, 618, 795, and 409 microg g(-1) dry weight of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb, respectively. In order to assess detoxification mechanisms, non-protein thiols (NP-SH), glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) were analyzed in plants. An increase in the quantity of NP-SH (9.55), GSH (8.30), and PCs (1.25) micromol g(-1) FW were found at 15 microM of Cd, however, a gradual decline in quantity was observed from 15 microM of Cd onwards, after 56 d of exposure. For genotoxicity in plants, cytogenetic end-points such as mitotic index (MI), micronucleus formation (MN), mitotic aberrations (MA) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were examined in root meristem cells of B. juncea. Exposure of Cd revealed a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of MI, induction of MA, CA, and MN in the root tips for 24 h. However, cells examined at 24 h post-exposure showed concentration-wise recovery in all the endpoints. The data revealed that Indian mustard could be used as a potential accumulator of Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb due to a good tolerance mechanisms provided by combined/concerted action of NP-SH, GSH, and PCs. Also, exposure of Cd can cause genotoxic effects in B. juncea L. through chromosomal mutations, MA, and MN formation.     

A RFLP linkage map of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

A RFLP linkage map of sorghum composed principally of markers detected with sorghum low-copy-number nuclear DNA clones has been constructed. The map spans 1789 cMs and consists of 190 loci grouped into 14 linkage groups. The 10 largest linkage groups consist of from 10 to 24 markers and from 103 to 237 cMs, and the other 4 linkage groups consist of from 2 to 5 markers and from 7 to 62 cMs. The map was derived in Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor by analysis of a F₂ population composed of 50 plants derived from a cross of IS 3620C, a guinea line, and BTx 623, an agronomically important inbred line derived from a cross between a zera zera (a caudatum-like sorghum) and an established kafir line. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) frequency detected in this population using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplifiable low-copy-number sorghum clones and five restriction enzymes was 51%. A minimal estimate of the number of clones that detect duplicate sequences is 11 %. Null alleles occurred at 13% of the mapped RFLP loci.     

A linkage map of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Summary We have established a first linkage map for beets based on RFLP, isozyme and morphological markers. The population studied consisted of 96 F₂ individuals derived from an intraspecific cross. As was expected for outbreeding species, a relatively high degree of polymorphism was found within sugar beet; 47% of the DNA markers were polymorphic for the chosen population. The map consists of 115 independent chromosomal loci designated by 108 genomic DNA probes, 6 isozyme and one morphological marker. The loci cover 789 cM with an average spacing of 6.9 cM. They are dispersed over nine linkage groups corresponding to the haploid chromosome number of Beta species. Eighteen markers (15.4%) showed distorted segregation which, in most instances, can be explained by gametic selection of linked lethal loci. The application of the linkage map in sugar beet breeding is discussed.     

Genetic linkage map of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] using morphological and molecular markers

A genetic linkage map of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batch] was constructed in order to identify molecular markers linked to economically important agronomic traits that would be particularly useful for long-lived perennial species. An intraspecific F₂ population was generated from self-pollinating a single F₁ plant from a cross between a flat non-acid peach, ‘Ferjalou Jalousia^®’ and an acid round nectarine ‘Fantasia’. Mendelian segregations were observed for 270 markers including four agronomic characters (peach/nectarine, flat/round fruit, acid/non-acid fruit, and pollen sterility) and 1 isoenzyme, 50 RFLP, 92 RAPD, 8 inter-microsatellite amplification (IMA), and 115 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Two hundred and forty-nine markers were mapped to 11 linkage groups covering 712 centiMorgans (cM). The average density between pairs of markers is 4.5?cM. For the four agronomic characters studied, molecular markers were identified. This map will be used for the detection of QTL controlling fruit quality in peach and, particularly, the acid and sugar content.     

Generation mean analyses for flowering and maturity in Indian mustard (Brassica junces (L.) Czern & Coss)

Summary Components of generation means were partitioned for days to flower initiation and maturity in three crosses of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss) cultivars. A linked digenics model was adequate for flowering in cross II and maturity in Cross I. All three types of digenic interactions among the linked pairs of genes, additive X additive (i), additive X dominance (j) and dominance X dominance (1), contributed significantly in the inheritance of flowering in cross II and maturity in cross I. A complete association among the genes of greater effects in higher mean parent was detected for flowering in cross II and maturity in Cross I. Duplicate epistasis was evident for flowering in Crosses I and II and maturity in Crosses I and III.Inadequacy of all the fitted models for days to flowering in Cross III and maturity in Cross II indicated the presence of higher order interactions.Part of PhD (plant breeding) Thesis, submitted by senior author to GBPUAT, Pantnagar (Nainital) U.P., India (unpublished). Research paper No. 4262     

Effect of nitrogen and chlormequat chloride on the seed yield and oil content of mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss)

The growth of mustard was increased significantly when treated with up to 80 kg N ha^–1 (N₈₀). Spraying with (2-chloroethyl) trimethylammoniumchloride (chlormequat chloride) increased seed yield and seed protein content. Spraying nitrogen fertilized plots with chlormequat chloride, increased leaf area, leaf area ratio, leaf area duration, number of siliquae plant^–1, number of seeds siliqua^–1 and length of siliqua. Reducing, non-reducing and total sugars in the leaves at 80 days after sowing were also affected significantly. Chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll were little affected. The number of siliquae plant^–1 was highly correlated with seed yield in both the seasons of experimentation. The correlation coefficient value () was 0.586 in 1982/83 and 0.912 in 1983/84.The total accumulation of nutrients, i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in seed and straw was significantly affected by N₈₀ × chlormequat chloride interaction.     

Structure and organization of the B genome based on a linkage map in Brassica nigra

We constructed a genetic map on Brassica nigra based on a segregating population of 83 F₂ individuals. Three different types of molecular markers were used to build the map including isozymes, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP), and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The final map contained 124 markers distributed in 11 linkage groups. The map covered a total distance of 677 cM with the markers distributed within a mean distance of 5.5cM. Of the sequences found in the B. nigra map, 40% were duplicated and organized into three different types of arrangements. They were either scattered throughout the genome, organized in tandem, or organized in blocks of duplicated loci conserved in more than 1 linkage group.