Identification of a Promising Novel Genetic Source for Rice Root-Knot Nematode Resistance through Markers Associated with Trait-Specific Quantitative Trait Loci.

Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is gaining popularity among farmers due to its environmentally safe and resource-efficient production system. However, managing the rice root-knot nematode (RRKN), , remains a major challenge in DSR cultivation. Developing genetic resistance is a pragmatic and effective approach compared to using hazardous pesticides.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Leptospirosis in High-Risk Occupational Groups in the State of Gujarat as Determined by IgM ELISA and MAT Test: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis affecting humans and animals worldwide in tropical and subtropical countries. The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in high-risk occupational groups (cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) in the state of Gujarat and to determine related risk factors for leptospirosis.

Methods: Using an interview-guided questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 123 people in high-risk occupational groups (namely, cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) from five districts of the state of Gujarat, India.

Fine mapping of , a major QTL governing resistance to bakanae disease in rice.

Bakanae disease caused by is an emerging disease of rice causing losses in all rice-growing regions around the world. A BCF population was developed by backcrossing the recurrent parent Pusa Basmati 1121 (PB1121) with the recombinant inbred line RIL28, which harbors a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) governing resistance to bakanae, . MassARRAY-based single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays targeting the genomic region of helped in fine mapping the QTL to a region of 130 kb between the SNP markers and using 24 recombinants.

Genetic Enhancement for Biotic Stress Resistance in Basmati Rice through Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding.

Pusa Basmati 1509 (PB1509) is one of the major foreign-exchange-earning varieties of Basmati rice; it is semi-dwarf and early maturing with exceptional cooking quality and strong aroma. However, it is highly susceptible to various biotic stresses including bacterial blight and blast. Therefore, bacterial blight resistance genes, namely, + and , and fungal blast resistance genes + and were incorporated into the genetic background of recurrent parent (RP) PB1509 using donor parents, namely, Pusa Basmati 1718 (PB1718), Pusa 1927 (P1927), Pusa 1929 (P1929) and Tetep, respectively.

Epigenetic modifications and miRNAs determine the transition of somatic cells into somatic embryos.

This review discusses the epigenetic changes during somatic embryo (SE) development, highlights the genes and miRNAs involved in the transition of somatic cells into SEs as a result of epigenetic changes, and draws insights on biotechnological opportunities to study SE development. Somatic embryogenesis from somatic cells occurs in a series of steps. The transition of somatic cells into somatic embryos (SEs) is the most critical step under genetic and epigenetic regulations.

Evaluating the Antimicrobial and Anti-Hemolytic Activity of Synthesized Pseudopeptide against Species: In Silico and In Vitro Approach.

Bacterial infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare complications in patients. Leptospirosis is found to be the most prevalent, re-emergent, and neglected tropical zoonotic disease worldwide. The adaptation to various environmental conditions has made acquire a large genome (~4.

Retrotransposons: How the continuous evolutionary front shapes plant genomes for response to heat stress.

Long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR retrotransposons) are the most abundant group of mobile genetic elements in eukaryotic genomes and are essential in organizing genomic architecture and phenotypic variations. The diverse families of retrotransposons are related to retroviruses. As retrotransposable elements are dispersed and ubiquitous, their "copy-out and paste-in" life cycle of replicative transposition leads to new genome insertions without the excision of the original element.

Genome-wide association study reveals novel genomic regions governing agronomic and grain quality traits and superior allelic combinations for Basmati rice improvement.

Background: Basmati is a speciality segment in the rice genepool characterised by explicit grain quality. For the want of suitable populations, genome-wide association study (GWAS) in Basmati rice has not been attempted.

Materials: To address this gap, we have performed a GWAS on a panel of 172 elite Basmati multiparent population comprising of potential restorers and maintainers.

From farm to plate: Spatio-temporal characterization revealed compositional changes and reduced retention of γ-oryzanol upon processing in rice.

Background: Antioxidants detain the development and proliferation of various non-communicable diseases (NCDs). γ-oryzanol, a group of steryl ferulates and caffeates, is a major antioxidant present in rice grain with proven health benefits. The present study evaluated the distribution and dynamics of γ-oryzanol and its components in spatial and temporal scales and also delineated the effect of processing and cooking on its retention.

Seed coat colour of Indian mustard [ (L.) Czern. and Coss.] is associated with homologs identifiable by targeted functional markers.

Seed coat colour is an important trait in Indian mustard. Breeding for seed coat colour needs precise knowledge of mode of inheritance and markers linked to it. The present study was focussed on genetics and development of functional markers for seed coat colour.

Population Dynamics of Wide Compatibility System and Evaluation of Intersubspecific Hybrids by - Hybridization in Rice.

The exploitation of heterosis through intersubspecific hybridisation between and has been a major breeding target in rice, but is marred by the cross incompatibility between the genomes. Wide compatibility (WC) is a triallelic system at the locus on chromosome 6 that ensures the specificity of hybridisation within and between and The allele that favours intercrossing is sparsely distributed in the rice gene pool and therefore warrants identification of diverse WC sources to develop superior intersubspecific hybrids. In this study, we have identified several novel WC sources through the marker-assisted screening of a large set of 950 rice genotypes.

Rapid growth of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): Cellular roadmaps, transcriptome dynamics, and environmental factors.

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) shows remarkably rapid growth (114.5 cm/day), but the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. After examining more than 12,750 internodes from more than 510 culms from 17 Moso populations, we identified internode 18 as a representative internode for rapid growth.

Genome-Wide Association Mapping Reveals Novel Putative Gene Candidates Governing Reproductive Stage Heat Stress Tolerance in Rice.

Temperature rise predicted for the future will severely affect rice productivity because the crop is highly sensitive to heat stress at the reproductive stage. Breeding tolerant varieties is an economically viable option to combat heat stress, for which the knowledge of target genomic regions associated with the reproductive stage heat stress tolerance (RSHT) is essential. A set of 192 rice genotypes of diverse origins were evaluated under natural field conditions through staggered sowings for RSHT using two surrogate traits, spikelet fertility and grain yield, which showed significant reduction under heat stress.

QTL Regulates Gene Expression Through Epigenetic Modification of DNA Under Phosphate Starvation Stress in Rice.

Cytosine methylation, epigenetic DNA modification, is well known to regulate gene expression. Among the epigenetic modifications, 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) has been one of the extensively studied epigenetic changes responsible for regulating gene expression in animals and plants. Though a dramatic change in 5-mC content is observed at the genome level, the variation in gene expression is generally less than that it is expected.

Redox status of the plant cell determines epigenetic modifications under abiotic stress conditions and during developmental processes.

Background: The oxidation-reduction (redox) status of the cell influences or regulates transcription factors and enzymes involved in epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, histone protein modifications, and chromatin structure and remodeling. These changes are crucial regulators of chromatin architecture, leading to differential gene expression in eukaryotes. But the cell's redox homeostasis is difficult to sustain since the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) is not equal in plants at different developmental stages and under abiotic stress conditions.

Kühn Pathophysiology: Status and Prospects of Sheath Blight Disease Management in Rice.

Sheath blight caused by necrotrophic fungus Kühn is one of the most serious diseases of rice. Use of high yielding semi dwarf cultivars with dense planting and high dose of nitrogenous fertilizers accentuates the incidence of sheath blight in rice. Its diverse host range and ability to remain dormant under unfavorable conditions make the pathogen more difficult to manage.

Genome-wide identification and expression characterization of the DoG gene family of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis).

Background: The DoG (Delay of Germination1) family plays a key regulatory role in seed dormancy and germination. However, to date, there is no complete genomic overview of the DoG gene family of any economically valuable crop, including moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), and no studies have been conducted to characterize its expression profile. To identify the DoG gene members of moso bamboo (PeDoG) and to investigate their family structural features and tissue expression profile characteristics, a study was conducted.

Population Structure of a Worldwide Collection of Tropical Rice Indicates Limited Geographic Differentiation and Shows Promising Genetic Variability Associated with New Plant Type.

Abating the approaching yield plateau in rice requires taking advantage of potential technologies that requires knowledge on genetic diversity. Hybrid breeding, particularly in rice, requires the recruitment of large genetic variability from outside because the available genetic diversity of the cultivated pool has already been utilized to a great extent. In this study, we examined an assembly of 200 tropical lines collected worldwide for population genetic structure and variability in yield-associated traits.

Drought Tolerant Near Isogenic Lines of Pusa 44 Pyramided With and , Show Accelerated Recovery Response in a High Throughput Phenomics Based Phenotyping.

Reproductive stage drought stress (RSDS) is a major challenge in rice production worldwide. Cultivar development with drought tolerance has been slow due to the lack of precise high throughput phenotyping tools to quantify drought stress-induced effects. Most of the available techniques are based on destructive sampling and do not assess the progress of the plant's response to drought.