Theβ-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin containsN-glycosidic trisialo tri- and tri′-antennary carbohydrate chains

TheN-linked carbohydrate chains of the-subunit of highly purified urinary human chorionic gonadotropin have been re-investigated. The oligosaccharides were released enzymatically by peptide-N ⁴-(N-acetyl--glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase-F, and fractionated by a combination of FPLC and HPLC. As a result of the application of improved fractionation methods, apart from the earlier reported carbohydrate chains, also small amounts of trisialo tri- and tri-antennary oligosaccharides were found. The primary structures of the latter carbohydrate chains have been determined by 500-MHz¹H-NMR spectroscopy to beAbbreviations hCG human chorionic gonadotropin - hCG- -subunit - hCG- -subunit - PNGase-F peptide-N ⁴-(N-acetyl--glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase-F (E.C. 3.5.1.52) - endo-F endo--N-acetylglucosaminidase-F (E.C. 3.2.1.96) - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - CBB coomassie brilliant blue R 250 - GlcNAc N-acetylglucosamine - NeuAc N-acetylneuraminic acid - Man mannose - Gal galactose - Fuc fucose     

Synthesis of hexaploid (AABBCC) somatic hybrids: a bridging material for transfer of ‘tour’ cytoplasmic male sterility to different Brassica species

Most of the alloplasmic cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) systems are known to be associated with a number of floral abnormalities that result from nuclear-cytoplasmic incompatibilities. One such system, tour, which is derived from Brassica tournefortii, induces additional floral abnormalities and causes chlorosis in Brassica spp. While the restorer for this CMS has been reported to be present in B. napus, in B. juncea, where the abnormalities are more pronounced, no restorer has yet been identified. Rectification of these floral abnormalities through mitochondrial recombinations and chloroplast replacement might result in the improvement of this CMS system. As organelle recombinations can possibly be achieved only by somatic cell hybridization, fusion experiments were carried out between hygromycin-resistant B. juncea AABB carrying tour cytoplasm and phosphinotricin-resistant, normal B. oleracea CC to generate AABBCC hexaploid somatic hybrids. The presence of selectable marker genes facilitated the selection of hybrids in large numbers. The resulting hybrids showed wide variation in floral morphology and organelle composition. Regenerants with normal, male-sterile flowers having recombinant tour-or oleracea-type mitochondria and oleracea-type chloroplasts were obtained. Hybrids with male-fertile flowers were also obtained that had recombined tour mitochondria. The AABBCC hexaploid hybrids synthesized in the present study were successfully utilized as a bridging material for transferring variability in the organelle genome simultaneously to all the digenomic Brassica species, and all of these hybrids are now being stabilized through repeated backcrosses to the allopolyploid crop brassicas.     

Genetic analysis of brown planthopper resistance in twenty varieties of rice,Oryza saliva L.

Summary The inheritance of resistance to brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stol.), of 20 rice cultivars was studied. Single dominant genes that are allelic to Bph 3 condition the resistance in cultivars Ptb 19, Gangala (Acc. 7733), Gangala (Acc. 15207), Horana Mawee, Kuruhondarwala, Mudu Kiriyal and Muthumanikam. Single recessive genes that are allelic to bph 4 govern the resistance in cultivars Gambada Samba, Heenhoranamawee, Hotel Samba, Kahata Samba, Kalukuruwee, Lekam Samba, Senawee, Sulai, Thirissa and Vellai Illankali. The resistance in Ptb 33, Sudu Hondarwala, and Sinna Sivappu is governed by one dominant and one recessive gene which segregate independently of each other. The dominant resistance genes in these cultivars appear allelic to either Bph 1 or Bph 3. Similarly, the recessive genes in these cultivars seem allelic to either bph 2 or bph 4. Further investigations are needed to conclusively determine the allelic relationships of resistance genes in Ptb 33, Sudu Hondarwala and Sinna Sivappu.     

A survey of the response of Rhododendron to in vitro culture

The responses of 7 genotypes of Rhodendron to culture conditions and their establishment as shoot cultures are described. The genotypes represent a broad genetic diversity in the genus. After sterilization and an acclimation period of 3 to 12 months, all the selections were established as shoot cultures on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with N⁶(-²-isopenteny) adenine (2iP). Plants with strong episodic growth cycles required the longer acclimation periods. Utilizing shoots from these cultures, the response to a cytokinin series of 0 to 32 M 2iP or BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) was analyzed. BAP proved toxic to all but the elipidote and lepidote rhododendrons (R. mucronulatum, R. x Boule de Neige, and R. x PJM); however, even with these selections, 2iP stimulated greater shoot multiplication rates. The optimum 2iP level for shoot multiplication varied little with the genotype and levels of 4 to 16 M generally proved optimal, depending on the specific selection. Adventitious shoot production was observed in 3 selections (R. canadense, R. x Boule de Neige and R. x PJM), but only at 2iP levels above 8 M. Shoot multiplication rates of 7 to 21 times were observed, depending on the selection. Using an average utilizable shoot production rate of 40 shoots per culture per 6 week subculture period, some 75,000 shoots can be generated per square meter of culture space per year. The harvested shoots (microcuttings) rooted readily out-of-culture and the resultant plants grew like seedlings.     

Glycerol-, inositol-, and reducing end hexose-containing oligosaccharides in human urine

Ten previously unreported oligosaccharides have been purified from the urines of human subjects using a combination of gel filtration, ion exchange, and thin-layer chromatographies. Their structures were determined by direct probe mass spectrometry, methylation analysis, and proton NMR spectroscopy of the permethylated oligosaccharide alditols.On the basis of composition, the oligosaccharides could be divided into three groups. Five oligosaccharides containing glycerol were characterized as glucosyl1-1glycerol; glucosyl1-1glycerol; galactosyl1-1glycerol; glucosyl-1-1(fucosyl-1-2)glycerol and/or fucosyl-1-1(glucosyl-1-2)glycerol; and glucosyl-1-1(galactosyl-1-2)glycerol or galactosyl-1-1(glucosyl-1-2)glycerol. Four inositol-containing oligosaccharides were characterized as galactosyl1 (fucosyl1)inositol,N-acetylgalactosaminyl1 (fucosyl1)inositol, fucosyl1-2galactosyl1 (N-acetylgalactosaminyl1)inositol and fucosyl1-2galactosyl1-4-N-acetylglucosaminyl1(N-acetylgalactosaminyl1)inositol. Finally, galactosyl1-3(fucosyl1-2)galactosyl1-6galactosyl1-4(fucosyl1-3)glucose, an oligosaccharide with glucose at its reducing end, was tentatively identified. The significance and possible origins of the carbohydrate structures are discussed.     

Molecular mapping of a new gene Rrs4 CI 11549 for resistance to barley scald (Rhynchosporium secalis)

Doubled haploid (DH) progeny from a cross between the scald susceptible barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar Ingrid and the resistant accession CI 11549 (Nigrinudum) was evaluated for resistance in the pathogen Rhynchosporium secalis (Oudem) J.J. Davis. Two linked and incompletely dominant loci confer resistance CI 11549 against isolate 4004. One is an allele at the complex Rrs1 locus on chromosome 3H close to the centromere; the other is located 22 cM distally on the long arm. The latter locus is designated Rrs4. In BC₃-lines into Ingrid from CI 2222 (another Nigrinudum) resistance seems governed by one locus close to the telomeric region of chromosome 7H, probably allelic to Rrs2. In neither case did we find any trace of the recessive gene rh8 reported to be present in Nigrinudum. Various resistance donors of Ethiopian origin designated as Nigrinudum, Jet or Abyssinian were identical to a great extent with respect to markers, but differed in resistance to different isolates of scald or in barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) resistance. The implications for their use as differentials in scald tests and screening of germplasm collections are discussed.     

RFLP mapping of three new loci for resistance genes to powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei) in barley

Three new major, race-specific, resistance genes to powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f. sp. hordei) were identified in three barley lines, RS42-6*O, RS137-28*E, and HSY-78*A, derived from crosses with wild barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum). The resistance gene origining from wild barley in line RS42-6*O, showed a recessive mode of inheritance, whereas the other wild barley genes were (semi)-dominant. RFLP mapping of these three genes was performed in segregating F₂ populations. The recessive gene in line RS42-6*O, was localized on barley chromosome 1S (7HS), while the (semi)-dominant genes in lines RS137-28*E, and HSY-78*A, were localized on chromosomes 1L (7HL) and 7L (5HL), respectively. Closely linked RFLP clones mapped at distances between 2.6cM and 5.3 cM. Hitherto, specific loci for powdery mildew resistance in barley had not been located on these chromosomes. Furthermore, tests for linkage to the unlocalized resistance gene Mlp revealed free segregation. Therefore, these genes represent new loci and new designations are suggested: mlt (RS42-6*O), Mlf (RS137-28*E), and Mlj (HSY-78*A). Comparisons with mapped QTLs for mildew resistance were made and are discussed in the context of homoeology among the genomes of barley (H-vulgare), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and rye (Secale cereale). Duplications of RFLP bands detected in the neighbourhood of Mlf and mlt might indicate an evolutionary interrelationship to the Mla locus for mildew resistance.     

Genetics of resistance to Puccinia graminis tritici in ‘Chris’ and ‘W3746’ wheats

Summary Chris wheat possessed genes Sr5, Sr7a, Sr8a, Sr9g and Sr12. W3746, derived from the cross Chris/Baart, possessed Sr7a and Sr12. The response conferred by Sr7a was influenced by the genetic background. Although Sr7a or Sr12 alone conferred no observable resistance upon adult plants, the adult resistances of Chris and W3746 to predominant pathotypes appeared to be associated with the interaction of Sr7a and Sr12, or genes at closely linked loci.     

Population Dynamics of Daphnia Hyalina Leydig (Crustacea: Cladocera) in a Productive and an Unproductive Lake in the English Lake District

The population dynamics of Daphnia hyalina Leydig in a productive lake, Esthwaite Water, and an unproductive lake, Buttermere, in the English Lake District have been compared. The winter is passed as resting eggs in the bottom sediments in Buttermere and as free-swimming individuals in the planktonic zone in Esthwaite Water. In Esthwaite Water seasonal periodicity was characterised by maxima in spring and autumn and a minimum in summer; in Buttermere, there was no spring maximum and the first increase in population density was in summer. Population densities were higher and adult females were larger and laid more eggs per clutch in Esthwaite Water than in Buttermere. In each lake males became numerous in autumn. Observed rates of population increase, r and calculated birth rates, b and death rates d were nearly always higher in Esthwaite Water than in Buttermere.     

The Use of the [13C]/[12C] Ratio for the Assay of the Microbial Oxidation of Hydrocarbons

The study deals with a comparative analysis of the relative abundances of the carbon isotopes ¹²C and ¹³C in the metabolites and biomass of the Burkholderia sp. BS3702 and Pseudomonas putida BS202-p strains capable of utilizing aliphatic (n-hexadecane) and aromatic (naphthalene) hydrocarbons as sources of carbon and energy. The isotope compositions of the carbon dioxide, biomass, and exometabolites produced during the growth of Burkholderia sp. BS3702 on n-hexadecane (¹³C = –44.6 ± 0.2) were characterized by the values of ¹³C_{CO 2} = –50.2 ± 0.4, ¹³C_biom = –46.6 ± 0.4, and ¹³C_exo = –41.5 ± 0.4, respectively. The isotope compositions of the carbon dioxide, biomass, and exometabolites produced during the growth of the same bacterial strain on naphthalene (¹³C = –21 ± 0.4) were characterized by the isotope effects ¹³C_{CO 2} = –24.1 ± 0.4, ¹³C_biom = –19.2 ± 0.4, and ¹³C_exo = –19.1 ± 0.4, respectively. The possibility of using the isotope composition of metabolic carbon dioxide for the rapid monitoring of the microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment is discussed.     

Genetic analysis of two wheat cultivars, ‘Sonalika’ and ‘WL 711’ for reaction to leaf rust (Puccinia recondita)

Summary Genetic analysis for leaf rust reaction of two widely adapted cultivars, Sonalika and WL 711, has been done using 21 near isogenic Lr lines and rust culture IL004 — avirulent on the two cultivars and all the Lr lines used. The segregation pattern in the F₂ generation indicated the presence of a recessive gene in Sonalika and of a dominant gene in WL 711. These genes in cultivars Sonalika and WL 711 have been identified as Lr 11 and Lr 13, respectively. Gene Lr 13 is no longer effective in WL 711 but it continues to give field resistance in the backgrounds of Chris, Prelude and Thatcher. There has been no significant change in the virulence spectrum of the leaf rust pathogen in India with the release of WL 711. High susceptibility of WL 711 seems to be due to the evolution of more aggressive forms of the pathogen to this cultivar. The gene Lr 11, which behaves as a recessive in Sonalika, was effective against leaf rust when this cultivar was released. The high susceptibility of Sonalika is probably due to an increase in the frequency of race 77 virulent on Lr 11. Lr 11 has shown a dominance reversal in the background of Sonalika. Present results suggest that interaction of resistance genes with the background genotype must be studied for their effective use in breeding programme.     

Two-dimensional 1H NMR study of two cyclobutane type photodimers of thymidylyl-(3′→5′)-thymidine

2D NMR spectroscopy and J coupling constant analysis are applied to resolve the structure of two photoproducts of thymidylyl-(35)-thymidine. These products are cyclobutane type thymine dimers possessing the cis-syn (the predominant one) and trans-syn geometry. The cis-syn is formed in an ANTI-ANTI conformation about the N-glycosyl linkages and resembles the normal base-stacked configuration. The glycosidic conformation in solution of the 5 terminal fragment differs from the crystal in which the less common SYN conformation is observed. In this isomer only the sugar pucker of the 3 terminal fragment is changed substantially with respect to the dinucleotide. The trans-syn isomer is formed in a SYN-ANTI glycosidic conformation. In this isomer the sugar puckers of both deoxyribose rings are affected and a preference for a pure 2-endo conformation is observed.Abbreviations dTpdT 2-deoxythymidylyl-(35)-2-deoxythymidine - dTp[]dT cyclobutane type photodimers of dTpdT - dTp- and dTp[]- their 5' terminal fragments (fragment A) - -pdT and-[]pdT their 3 terminal fragments (fragment B) - RP-HPLC reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography - COSY two-dimensional correlated spectroscopy - 2D NOE two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy     

Endogenous abscisic acid and 2-trans-abscisic acid in alternate bearing ‘Wilking’ mandarin trees

The relationship of abscisic acid (ABA) and 2-trans-abscisic acid (t-ABA) to alternate bearing has been examined in Wilking mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) trees. Leaves, stems and buds of trees loaded with fruit (on trees) had 4.3, 6.0 and 2.2 fold higher ABA levels than the corresponding organs from off trees. Leaves had higher ABA levels than stems and buds in both on and off trees. t-ABA was non-detectable in Wilking leaf, stem and bud tissue. Amounts of t-ABA not exceeding 40% of the ABA content, were found in Shamouti and Valencia orange buds and in Wilking fruit peel.The elevated levels of ABA in on tree organs may reflect a stress imposed by the fruit overload.     

Basis of the Relationship between Ash Content in the Flag Leaf and Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Kernels of Durum Wheat

The relationship between ash content and carbon isotope discrimination () was studied in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) grown in a Mediterranean region (Northwest Syria) under three different water regimes (hereafter referred to as environments). In two of these environments, 144 genotypes were cultivated under rain-fed conditions. In the third environment, 125 genotypes were cultivated under irrigation. Ash content was measured in the flag leaf about 3 weeks after anthesis, whereas was analysed in mature kernels. Total transpiration of the photosynthetic tissues of the culm contributing, from heading to maturity, to the filling of kernels was also estimated. Leaf ash content, expressed either on dry matter or leaf area basis or as total ash per blade, correlated positively (p< 0.001) with in the three environments. However, this relationship was not the result of a positive correlation across genotypes between and tissue water content. Moreover, only a small part of the variation in across genotypes was explained by concomitant changes in ash content. When all genotypes across the three environments were plotted, and ash content followed a non-linear relationship (r ² = 74), with tending to a plateau as the ash content increased. However, for the set of genotypes and environments combined, total ash content per leaf blade was positively and linearly related (r ² = 0.76) with the accumulated culm transpiration. The non-linear nature of the relationship between ash content and is sustained by the fact that culm transpiration also showed a non-linear relationship with kernel . Therefore, differences in leaf ash content between environments, and to a lesser extent between genotypes, seem to be brought about by variations in accumulated transpiration during grain formation.     

RexAB proteins of bacteriophage lambda enhance the effect of photolyase-dimer complexes on lacZ gene expression in Escherichia coli.

Summary Expression of the lacZ gene in Escherichia coli is inactivated by exposure to ultraviolet light (UV). Inactivation is exceptionally effective when cells contain amplified levels of DNA photolyase (which forms complexes with pyrimidine dimers in the absence of light for actual photoreversal) and a prophage. Without amplified photolyase, the prophage or both, inactivation rates are similar and much lower. UV-inactivation of lacZ gene expression in the presence of both amplified photolyase and is even more effective if cI857 is used in place of the wildtype prophage but is wholly unexceptional if the prophage carries defects in the genes rexA or rexB. When Rex AB proteins are provided by expression from a plasmid and the cell also contains amplified photolyase, exceptional inactivation rates again obtain; in fact inactivation is most effective under these conditions. The data are considered to reveal a role for Rex AB proteins, which mediate superinfection exclusion, in the exceptional inactivation of gene expression by photolyase bound to pyrimidine dimers in DNA. Photolyase-dimer complexes may mimic the structure of certain complexes that arise during phage development and thus influence Rex A and/or B proteins, thereby shutting down cell metabolism.     

Genotype effects on plant regeneration in callus and suspension cultures of Avena

Regenerative potential of the calli of nineteen genotypes of Avena sativa, Avena nuda, Avena byzantina and one interspecific hybrid were compared over three successive cultures. Highly significant genotype and genotype × subculture interactions were observed. Among the highest plant regenerable genotypes were Corbit (first subculture); GAF/Park and 88Ab3073 (second subculture); and GAF/Park and 87Ab5932 (third subculture). These genotypes regenerated on an average 10 to 17 plants each from a 200 mg callus mass after a 30 to 45 proliferation period. GAF/Park, a progeny of an interspecific cross, regenerated plants at a significantly higher level (11.85 plants/rep), followed by the similarly performing A. sativa (6.23 plants) and A. nuda (5.06 plants) genotypes, which were significantly higher than the A. byzantina genotypes (2.07 plants). Four genotypes were tested for their adaptability to suspension culture and plant regeneration potential by separating their cells and cell clusters into two sizes: larger and smaller than 3 mm. Larger clusters yielded plants for three genotypes GAF/Park, 88Ab3073, and Tibor. The smaller clusters only regenerated plants for GAF/Park and 88Ab3073. From one gram of callus used to initiate suspensions of GAF/Park and 88Ab3073, 119.9 and 18.8 plants, respectively, were regenerated. The plants regenerated for various genotypes from agar-solidified or suspension culture experiments had normal growth and seed set. This study confirms high and sustained regenerative capabilities of GAF/Park, a restricted genotype due to the weedy Avena fatua genetic background and identifies alternative genotypes, especially 88Ab3073 for future tissue culture and transformation studies.     

Synthetic substrate analogues for UDP-GlcNAc: Manα1-6R β(1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II. Substrate specificity and inhibitors for the enzyme

UDP-GlcNAc: Man1-6R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (GlcNAc-T II; EC 2.4.1.143) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of complexN-glycans. We have tested a series of synthetic analogues of the substrate Man1-6(GlcNAc1-2Man1-3)Man-O-octyl as substrates and inhibitors for rat liver GlcNAc-T II. The enzyme attachesN-acetylglucosamine in 1-2 linkage to the 2-OH of the Man1-6 residue. The 2-deoxy analogue is a competitive inhibitor (K _i=0.13mm). The 2-O-methyl compound does not bind to the enzyme presumably due to steric hindrance. The 3-, 4- and 6-OH groups are not essential for binding or catalysis since the 3-, 4- and 6-deoxy and -O-methyl derivatives are all good substrates. Increasing the size of the substituent at the 3-position to pentyl and substituted pentyl groups causes competitive inhibition (K _i=1.0–2.5mm). We have taken advantage of this effect to synthesize two potentially irreversible GlcNAc-T II inhibitors containing a photolabile 3-O-(4,4-azo)pentyl group and a 3-O-(5-iodoacetamido)pentyl group respectively. The data indicate that none of the hydroxyls of the Man1-6 residue are essential for binding although the 2- and 3-OH face the catalytic site of the enzyme. The 4-OH group of the Man-O-octyl residue is not essential for binding or catalysis since the 4-deoxy derivative is a good substrate; the 4-O-methyl derivative does not bind. This contrasts with GlcNAc-T I which cannot bind to the 4-deoxy-Man- substrate analogue. The data are compatible with our previous observations that a bisectingN-acetylglucosamine at the 4-OH position prevents both GlcNAc-T I and GlcNAc-T II catalysis. However, in the case of GlcNAc-T II, the bisectingN-acetylglucosamine prevents binding due to steric hindrance rather than to removal of an essential OH group. The 3-OH of the Man1-3 is an essential group for GlcNAc-T II since the 3-deoxy derivative does not bind to the enzyme. The trisaccharide GlcNAc1-2Man1-3Man-O-octyl is a good inhibitor (K _i=0.9mm). The above data together with previous studies indicate that binding of the GlcNAc1-2Man1-3Man- arm of the branched substrate to the enzyme is essential for catalysis. Abbreviations: GlcNAc-T I, UDP-GlcNAc:Man1-3R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (EC 2.4.1.101); GlcNAc-T II, UDP-GlcNAc:Man1-6R (1-2)-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (EC 2.4.1.143); MES, 2-(N-morpholino)ethane sulfonic acid monohydrate.     

The inheritance of host plant resistance and its effect on the relative infection efficiency of Magnaporthe grisea in rice cultivars

The inheritance of host plant resistance and its effect on the relative infection efficiency for leaf blast was studied in the crosses IR36/CO39 (partially resistant × highly susceptible) and IR36/IR64 (both partially resistant). On the natural scale, gene action appeared multiplicative. After log transformation, additive effects described most of the genetic variation in the cross IR36/CO39, while additive and dominance effects were about equal in magnitude in the cross IR36/IR64. Dominance was towards increased resistance. No transgressive segregation occurred in the cross IR36/CO39. The number of genes that reduce lesion number was estimated to be zero in CO39 and five or more in IR36. The cross IR36/IR64 showed transgressive segregation in both directions, and IR36 and IR64 each contain at least one gene that is not present in the other cultivar. The heritabilities (narrow sense) in the F₂ were low (range 0.06–0.16), while narrow sense heritabilities based on F₃ lines were much higher (range 0.41–0.68). Lesion numbers in F₃ lines were reasonably correlated with those in F₅ progenies derived from the same F₂ plant (r was±0.6 in both crosses). Partial resistance can be effectively improved by selecting the most resistant plants from the most resistant F₃ lines.     

Identification of two RAPD markers tightly linked with the Nicotiana debneyi gene for resistance to black root rot of tobacco

Linkage of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers with a single dominant gene for resistance to black root rot (Chalara elegans Nag Raj and Kendrick; Syn. Thielaviopsis basicola [Berk. and Broome] Ferraris) of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), which was transferred from N. debneyi Domin, was investigated in this study. There were 2594 repeatable RAPD fragments generated by 441 primers on DNAs of Delgold tobacco, a BC₅F₈ near isogenic line (NIL) carrying the resistance gene in a Delgold background, and PB19, the donor parent of the resistance gene. Only 7 of these primers produced eight RAPD markers polymorphic between Delgold and PB19, indicating there are few RAPD polymorphisms between them despite relatively dissimilar pedigrees. Five of the eight RAPD markers were not polymorphic between Delgold and the NIL. All of these markers proved to be unlinked with the resistance gene in F₂ linkage tests. Of the remaining three RAPD markers polymorphic between Delgold and the NIL, two were shown to be strongly linked with the resistance gene; one in coupling and the other in repulsion. Application of the two RAPDs in the elimination of linkage drag associated with the N. debneyi resistance gene and marker-assisted selection for the breeding of new tobacco cultivars with the resistance gene is discussed.     

Inheritance of the dwarf plant type in blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper)

Summary The inheritance of the dwarf plant type was studied in blackgram (V. mungo (L.) Hepper). Type 9 has erect plant type with normal internode length. The mutant line, EMSD has reduced internode length. The F₁, F₂ and F₃ generations of a cross between Type 9 and EMSD and its reciprocal were studied. The extreme dwarf plant type appeared to be governed by a single recessive gene, dw ₁ dw ₁ with no cytoplasmic effect.Part of Ph.D. Thesis submitted by the first author