No abstract

No abstract

SUMMARYMode of pollination is very important in plant breeding because it determines the genetic constitution, nature of gene action, ease in pollination control and stability of varieties after release. There are several mechanisms that promote cross pollination, among these self-incompatibility (SI) is of special significance as it is used in hybrid seed production. SI is defined as the prevention of fusion of fertile (functional) male and female gametes of the same plant (Gowers, 1989). SI is a system where self-recognition and rejection is the rule that prevents inbreeding depression. Bateman (1952) classified self-incompatibility based on the interaction between pollen grains and pistil as complementary and oppositional system. Lewis (1954) has classified SI into homomorphic and heteromorphic systems. Homomorphic SI is again subdivided into gametophytic (determined by the genotype of gametes) and sporophytic (determined by the genotype of the plant) systems. Molecular studies after 1980's revealed that at least two genes within S-locus control the SI, among these one unit function as male and the other as female determinant. In Brassicaceae family, the determinant gene encodes a pollen ligand and its stigmatic receptor kinase and their interaction induces incompatible signaling within the stigma papilla cells. In the Solanaceae, Rosaceae, and Scrophulariaceae, the female determinant is ribonuclease and F-box protein, suggesting the involvement of RNA degradation and protein degradation within the system. In the Papaveraceae, the female determinant induces Ca 2+ dependent signaling network that ultimately results in the death of incompatible pollen (Takayama and Isogai, 2005). Genes controlling the SI is multiallelic in nature and number of alleles varies depending upon the crop. Number of alleles reported are five in Theobroma cacao (Knight and Rogers, 1953), 30 in Brassica campestris (Singh, 2012), 32 alleles in Raphanussativus (Karron et al., 1989). SI is commercially exploited for the production hybrid seeds. Pusa Hybrid-2, Snow Queen and Snow King hybrids of cauliflower, BRH-5, H-44 of cabbage and CCRP8 to CCRP15 (Minimol et al., 2015a) of cocoa are some of the examples. Kucera et al. (2006) has compared the quality between SI and male sterility hybrids in cauliflower and it was found that SI hybrids are superior in their performance. Minimol et al. (2015b) emphasized the importance of polyclonal garden in cocoa for production of F 1 hybrid seeds by utilizing the self-incompatibility. Rego and Rego (2013) evaluated the efficiency of three methods of overcoming self-incompatibility in passion fruit and found fruit set of 16.67 and 10 per cent in bud and double pollination, respectively. The main limitations in exploiting SI is the maintenance of inbreds, however, it can be overcome by some temporary methods such as bud pollination, salt sprays and irradiation methods.

Jam was standardised by incorporating tender coconut pulp at various levels with fruit pulp of pineapple, mango, grapes and papaya. On the basis of nutritional qualities, jam prepared with 25% TCP Tender coconut pulp and 75% pineapple pulp were found to be the best. Jam prepared with 25% TCP and 75% blended fruit pulp were organoleptically more acceptable. The highest gel strength was observed for jam prepared with 25% tender coconut pulp and 75 % blended fruit pulp. The maximum adhesiveness was in the jam prepared using 100% tender coconut pulp. Acidity, moisture, TSS and reducing sugar of the products slightly increased during storage. However, a decreasing trend was observed in the case of total sugar content during storage. The highest fat content was observed in jam prepared using 100% TCP. The mineral content gradually decreased with advancement of storage period.

No abstract

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is the third important beverage from Amazon forest basin. The processed seeds are used for the production of chocolate, cocoa powder and cocoa butter. The cross pollinating nature coupled with existence of self/cross incompatibility poses much difficulty to the cocoa breeders. Variation within the population is the basis for the selection. The cocoa inbreds of various genotypes belonging to different generations, maintained at Cocoa Research Centre (CRC) were evaluated from 2016-2019. In the S1, S2, generation of M 18.7 genotype positive inbreeding depression was observed for 17 and 16 characters respectively, whereas, maximum inbreeding depression (10%) was observed for wet bean weight per pod. In the S1, S2 and S3 generation of G II 7.4 genotype, positive inbreeding depression was observed for 10,15 and 7 characters respectively, whereas, highest negative inbreeding depression (-92.45 per cent) for ridge thickness i.e., high ridge thickness was observed in S4 generation. In the S1 and S2 generation of G IV 35.7, positive inbreeding was observed in 16 and 15 characters respectively. The similar trend of inbreeding depression in various genotypes has shown both negative and positive inbreeding depression. The inbreeding depression in cocoa inbreds over generation was not stable. ridge thickness and bean thickness, yield per pod per tree, pod index and phenol content have shown negative inbreeding depression indicating that these characters are controlled by additive genes.

We have analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the XPC, XPA, and XPG genes of the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway in the Indian population. In the XPC gene we observed nine polymorphisms in the coding region, four polymorphisms in the intronic region, and two polymorphisms in the 5' untranslated region (UTR). In the XPA gene we observed one frequent SNP (allele frequency 0.48) within the 5' UTR at the 1665 position in a large proportion of the sample. In addition, we observed three novel heterozygous polymorphisms (a C to A transversion at position 1523 and a G to A transition at positions 1418 and 1458, with an allele frequency of 0.004) within the promoter region. In silico PCR analysis demonstrated that all three novel polymorphisms lie within a putative CpG island and that the variation at position 1418 falls within the potential GATA1/2/3 transcription factor(s) binding site and also within the negative control element. We performed a gel retardation assay with HeLa cell nuclear extract with an oligonucleotide encompassing this region. One of the alleles found at position 1458 of the XPA gene showed a significant change in protein-DNA interaction. In the XPG gene we found five polymorphisms in the coding region and one each in the 5' UTR of exon 1 and in intron 13.

Development of foods that promote health and wellbeing is one of the key priorities of food industry. Barnyard millet, important minor millet is highly digestible (81.13 per cent) and contains fair amount of protein (12 per cent) coupled with low carbohydrate (58.56 per cent) of slow digestibility (25.88 per cent). The nutritive value and taste of barnyard milled can be improved by germination. The present study concentrates in the optimization of conditions for barnyard millet germination to maximise the nutritive value and overall acceptance. The barnyard millet was cleaned, soaked in water with varying time intervals followed by 24 hrs germination. The dried grains were powdered, sieved and then subjected to organoleptic evaluation. The parameters such as moisture absorption, sprout length, malt yield and germination percentage were worked out. Based on organoleptic evaluation, the germinated barnyard millet flour, 10hrs soaking and 24 hrs germination was found to be the best and utilized for the production of value added products. As the soaking time increases (4 to 18hrs) the moisture absorption increases from 35.16 and 54.12 per cent. The sprout length reaches a maximum of 0.4 cm at 18hrs of soaking. The malt yield differs from 59.62 to 71.54 per cent with respect to soaking time.