CIBMAN: Database exploring Citrus biodiversity of Manipur

The rich wealth of Citrus genetic resources makes India to enjoy a remarkable position in the “Citrus belt of the world”. We have developed CIBMAN, a unique database on Citrus biodiversity of Manipur which comprises 33 accessions collected through extensive survey for more than three years. CIBMAN provides integrated access to Citrus species through sophisticated web interface which has following capabilities a) morphological details, b) socio-economic details, c) taxonomic details and d) geographical distribution. Morphological variability among Citrus accessions is due to variance in their genome which contributes to diverse agronomical traits and diverse bioactive compounds of high value. This diverse gene pool can be potential source for genetic improvement of existing cultivars and rootstocks. Systematic collection, characterization and conservation of the underutilized or lesser exploited varieties is required for incorporating in breeding program and conserve the germplasm from ever going on genetic erosion. This database will be useful for scientific validations and updating of traditional wisdom in bioprospecting aspects especially industrialization of Citrus found in the state. Further, the features will be suited for detailed investigation on potential medicinal and edible Citrus that make CIBMAN a powerful tool for sustainable management.

Availability

http://ibsd.gov.in/cibman     

DEBDOM: Database Exploring Banana Diversity of Manipur

Being poor man''s apple, banana has a wide popularity worldwide. It''s one of the important horticultural crops used irrespective of rich and poor alike. Manipur along with the other states of Northeast India harboured with plenty of wild and cultivated species of banana that are not fully explored. A data base named DEBDOM has been developed here describing the diversity of banana resources of Manipur and it comprises twenty eight genotypes of Musaceae. The database DEBDOM provides a sophisticated web base access to the details of the taxonomy, morphological characteristics, utility as well as sites of collection of Musa genotypes, and it would have contribute as a potential gene pool sources for the conservation, sustainability as well as for crop improvement in the future breeding programmes.

Availability

http://ibsd.gov.in/debdom/     

Characterisation of phytoplasma (16SrVI) associated with little leaf disease of Portulaca grandiflora – An in silico analysis

A new severe little leaf disease was observed on P. grandiflora, popular as Moss-rose Purslane, widely grown in temperate zones. Characteristic symptoms, ultrastructural studies, antibiotic response and amplification of 16S ribosomal DNA fragments (about 1.5 kb) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from infected samples, suspect the involvement of phytoplasma as a pathogen. Nested PCR product, 1.2 kb, with primer pairs R16F2n/R16R2 used for cloning and sequencing. Comparision of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the causal, PLL phytoplasma, is very close (98%) to Indian brinjal little leaf (EF186820) and “Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii” (AY390261), 16SrVI group phytoplasmas, previously reported from India and Canada respectively. Here, the status of PLL (EF651786) is verified by computer-simulated restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rRNA genes of the F2n/R2 sequences of closely related strains of the 16SrVI group using 17 restriction enzymes.     

MEIMAN: Database exploring Medicinal and Edible insects of Manipur

We have developed MEIMAN, a unique database on medicinal and edible insects of Manipur which comprises 51 insects species collected through extensive survey and questionnaire for two years. MEIMAN provides integrated access to insect species thorough sophisticated web interface which has following capabilities a) Graphical interface of seasonality, b) Method of preparation, c) Form of use - edible and medicinal, d) habitat, e) medicinal uses, f) commercial importance and g) economic status. This database will be useful for scientific validations and updating of traditional wisdom in bioprospecting aspects. It will be useful in analyzing the insect biodiversity for the development of virgin resources and their industrialization. Further, the features will be suited for detailed investigation on potential medicinal and edible insects that make MEIMAN a powerful tool for sustainable management. AVAILABILITY: The database is available for free at www.ibsd.gov.in/meiman.