Mapping QTLs for 15 morpho-metric traits in Arabidopsis thaliana using Col-0 × Don-0 population

Genome wide quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was conducted in Arabidopsis thaliana using F2 mapping population (Col-0 × Don-0) and SNPs markers. A total of five linkage groups were obtained with number of SNPs varying from 45 to 59 per linkage group. The composite interval mapping detected a total of 36 QTLs for 15 traits and the number of QTLs ranged from one (root length, root dry biomass, cauline leaf width, number of internodes and internode distance) to seven (for bolting days). The range of phenotypic variance explained (PVE) and logarithm of the odds ratio of these 36 QTLs was found be 0.19–38.17% and 3.0–6.26 respectively. Further, the epistatic interaction detected one main effect QTL and four epistatic QTLs. Five major QTLs viz. Qbd.nbri.4.3, Qfd.nbri.4.2, Qrdm.nbri.5.1, Qncl.nbri.2.2, Qtd.nbri.4.1 with PVE > 15.0% might be useful for fine mapping to identify genes associated with respective traits, and also for development of specialized population through marker assisted selection. The identification of additive and dominant effect QTLs and desirable alleles of each of above mentioned traits would also be important for future research.     

Role of Arabidopsis BBX proteins in light signaling

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Light regulates numerous aspects of plant growth and development like seed germination, seedling de-etiolation, pigment accumulation, cotyledon...     

Physical mapping of an adult plant stripe rust resistance gene from Triticum monococcum

Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) is one of the major devastating disease which causes large reduction in wheat yield. T. monococcum is an attractive diploid species for gene discovery in wheat with smaller genome size of 5700 Mb compared to 17,300 Mb of bread wheat. An adult plant stripe rust resistance QTL QYrtm.pau-2A was mapped on chromosome 2A flanked by two SSR markers Xwmc170 and Xwmc407. In the present study, two gene based markers Pau_Ta2AL_Gene45 and Pau_Ta2AL_Gene54 developed from 2A specific ESTs were found to map close to QYrtmpau-2A to narrow down the region for candidate gene identification. Utilizing sequence information of these two markers, four BAC clones were identified from the Minimum Tiling Path of 2AL assembly and were sequenced. SSR markers were designed from these BAC sequences and mapped to chromosome 2A. A 50 Mb region of wheat chromomse 2A was identified to harbor stripe rust resistance gene of T. monococcum. Gene based markers identified in the present investigation can be used for marker assisted introgression of QYrtm.pau-2A from T. monococcum to cultivated wheat.     

Energy–water and seasonal variations in climate underlie the spatial distribution patterns of gymnosperm species richness in China

Studying the pattern of species richness is crucial in understanding the diversity and distribution of organisms in the earth. Climate and human influences are the major driving factors that directly influence the large‐scale distributions of plant species, including gymnosperms. Understanding how gymnosperms respond to climate, topography, and human‐induced changes is useful in predicting the impacts of global change. Here, we attempt to evaluate how climatic and human‐induced processes could affect the spatial richness patterns of gymnosperms in China. Initially, we divided a map of the country into grid cells of 50 × 50 km² spatial resolution and plotted the geographical coordinate distribution occurrence of 236 native gymnosperm taxa. The gymnosperm taxa were separated into three response variables: (a) all species, (b) endemic species, and (c) nonendemic species, based on their distribution. The species richness patterns of these response variables to four predictor sets were also evaluated: (a) energy–water, (b) climatic seasonality, (c) habitat heterogeneity, and (d) human influences. We performed generalized linear models (GLMs) and variation partitioning analyses to determine the effect of predictors on spatial richness patterns. The results showed that the distribution pattern of species richness was highest in the southwestern mountainous area and Taiwan in China. We found a significant relationship between the predictor variable set and species richness pattern. Further, our findings provide evidence that climatic seasonality is the most important factor in explaining distinct fractions of variations in the species richness patterns of all studied response variables. Moreover, it was found that energy–water was the best predictor set to determine the richness pattern of all species and endemic species, while habitat heterogeneity has a better influence on nonendemic species. Therefore, we conclude that with the current climate fluctuations as a result of climate change and increasing human activities, gymnosperms might face a high risk of extinction.     

Nanotechnology a novel approach to enhance crop productivity

Nanobiotechnology provides novel set of tools to manipulate and enhance crop production using nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanoemulsions, and nanocapsules. Nanomaterials provide a platform to deliver agrochemicals and various macromolecules needed for plant growth enhancement and resistance to stresses. Smart delivery of agrochemicals increases the yield by optimizing water and nutrient conditions. Another added advantage is controlled release and site-directed delivery of agrochemicals. Further enhancement in quality and quantity in agriculture can be achieved by nanoparticle-mediated gene transformation and delivery of macromolecules that induces gene expression in plants. Various types of nanomaterials have been tested so far and the results have been promising in terms of productivity and quality enhancement.     

Correction to: Expression of the entomotoxic Cocculus hirsutus trypsin inhibitor (ChTI) gene in transgenic chickpea enhances its underlying resistance against the infestation of Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-021-02054-x     

Metals toxicity and its correlation with the gene expression in Alzheimer's disease

Molecular Biology Reports - Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly population and a leading cause of dementia. Genetics and environmental risk factors were...     

The contribution of corals to reef structural complexity in Kāne‘ohe Bay

Coral Reefs - The structural complexity of coral reefs provides important ecosystem functions, such as wave attenuation for coastal protection, surfaces for coral growth, and habitat for other...