Biocontrol Potential of an Endophytic Streptomyces sp. Strain MBCN152-1 against Alternaria brassicicola on Cabbage Plug Seedlings.

In the present study, 77 strains of endophytic actinomycetes isolated from cabbage were screened in order to assess their biocontrol potential against Alternaria brassicicola on cabbage seedlings. In the first and second screening trials, cabbage seedlings pretreated with mycelial suspensions of each isolate were spray-inoculated with A. brassicicola.

Recycling coffee grounds and tea leaf wastes to improve the yield and mineral content of grains of paddy rice.

Background: Coffee grounds and tea leaf wastes exhibit strong affinity for metals such as Fe and Zn. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of top-dressing application of Fe- and Zn-enriched coffee grounds and tea leaf wastes at the panicle initiation stage on the mineral content of rice grains and the yield of paddy rice.

Results: The Fe and Zn contents of brown rice grains increased significantly on application of both coffee and tea waste materials.

Development of SSR markers derived from SSR-enriched genomic library of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.).

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), also known as aubergine or brinjal, is an important vegetable in many countries. Few useful molecular markers have been reported for eggplant.

Identification of Japanese and chinese green tea cultivars by using simple sequence repeat markers to encourage proper labeling.

To identify commercial Japanese monovarietal green tea and imported green tea samples, leading Japanese cultivars were fingerprinted by using six simple sequence repeat markers analyzed by a capillary sequencer. Two well-authenticated imported Chinese monovarietal green tea samples were also fingerprinted by the same markers, one of which, was Fuyun, was a clonally propagated cultivar, and the other, Jiukengzhong, was seed-propagated. At least three markers used in this study identified 16 leading Japanese cultivars and Fuyun.

Construction of SSR-based chromosome map in bunching onion (Allium fistulosum).

We have constructed a linkage map of bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L., 2n = 16) using an F(2) population of 225 plants. The map consists of 17 linkage groups with 212 bunching onion SSR markers and 42 bulb onion (A.

Identification of QTLs for resistance to powdery mildew and SSR markers diagnostic for powdery mildew resistance genes in melon (Cucumis melo L.).

Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii is an important foliar disease in melon. To find molecular markers for marker-assisted selection, we constructed a genetic linkage map of melon based on a population of 93 recombinant inbred lines derived from crosses between highly resistant AR 5 and susceptible 'Earl's Favourite (Harukei 3)'. The map spans 877 cM and consists of 167 markers, comprising 157 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), 7 sequence characterized amplified region/cleavage amplified polymorphic sequence markers and 3 phenotypic markers segregating into 20 linkage groups.

Salicylic acid accumulates in the roots and hypocotyl after inoculation of cucumber leaves with Colletotrichum lagenarium.

Increased amounts of salicylic acid (SA) were detected in the roots and hypocotyl of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) using high-performance liquid chromatography following inoculation of the leaves with the anthracnose pathogen, Colletotrichum lagenarium. The concentrations of SA in the internodes immediately below the infected leaves increased to more than 1microg/g fresh weight. In contrast, the concentrations of SA in stems distant from, or above the infected leaves increased to 100-300ng/g.

Identification of two loci for resistance to clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin) in Brassica rapa L.

In an analysis of 114 F(2) individuals from a cross between clubroot-resistant and susceptible lines of Brassica rapa L., 'G004' and 'Hakusai Chukanbohon Nou 7' (A9709), respectively, we identified two loci, Crr1 and Crr2, for clubroot (caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin) resistance. Each locus segregated independently among the F(2) population, indicating that the loci reside on a different region of chromosomes or on different chromosomes.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Brassica rapa L.

We report here the isolation and characterization of microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), in Brassica rapa. The size-fractionated genomic library was screened with (GA)(15) and (GT)(15) oligonucleotide probes. A total of 58 clones were identified as having the microsatellite repeats, and specific primer pairs were designed for 38 microsatellite loci.