Luffa acutangula and L . aegyptiaca are two vegetable species commonly found in South and South East Asia. L . acutangula is widely grown; however, L . aegyptiaca is considered as an underutilized crop. The species delimits, phylogenetic positions, and the varietal identities of L . acutangula and L . aegyptiaca in Sri Lanka are not known. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to establish the species delimits and varietal identities of L . acutangula and L . aegyptiaca varieties grown in Sri Lanka using morphometric, phylogenetic and organoleptic assessments. We assessed five varieties of L . acutangula and three varieties of L . aegyptiaca . The vegetative and reproductive data were collected for the morphometric analysis and DNA sequence polymorphism of the makers rbcL , trnH-psbA and ITS for the phylogenetic analysis. We also conducted an organoleptic assessment based on taste parameters; aroma, bitterness, color, texture, and overall preference using the dishes prepared according to the most common Sri Lankan recipe for Luffa . The variation of the vegetative and reproductive traits grouped L . acutangula varieties into two distinct clusters. The trnH-psbA polymorphism provided the basis for the species delimits of L . acutangula and L . aegyptiaca . The rbcL and ITS polymorphisms provided the basis for the identities of the varieties of L . aegyptiaca and L . acutangula respectively. In the phylogeny, the L . acutangula varieties of Sri Lanka formed a unique clade and the L . aegyptiaca varieties formed a reciprocal monophyletic group in comparison to worldwide L . aegyptiaca reported. The taste parameters aroma, texture, color, and overall preference were significantly different among the Luffa varieties. The L . aegyptiaca varieties received lower preference in the organoleptic assessment. The present study sets the species delimits, phylogenetic positions and the varietal identities of the cultivated germplasm of Luffa and revealed the distinct morphological and organolep...
Yield improvement is a major aspect in rice breeding programs. Ghd7 is a pleiotropic gene which regulates yield, plant height, and heading date in rice. Although Ghd7 has been previously cloned and sequenced in several other rice cultivars, none of the studies have been conducted for Sri Lankan rice germplasm. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the yield performance of 12 rice cultivars, genetic polymorphism of Ghd7 locus and associations between DNA markers and yield traits. Breeder seeds of the selected cultivars were obtained from RRDI, Bathalagoda, and established under greenhouse conditions at Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in Maha and Yala seasons, 2017. The cultivars were subjected to morphometric analysis, genotyped for 12 DNA markers and sequenced at Seq7-8 locus. Morphometric data were subjected to single marker analysis using General Linear Model (GLM) in SAS 9.4. Here we reported six marker haplotypes based on the arrangement of 13 DNA maker alleles at Ghd7. Moreover, twenty-three SNP/INDEL variations at Seq7-8 locus revealed close genetic relationships between the rice cultivars Bg 90-2, Bg 352 and At 307, Bg310. Four polymorphic markers (Seq7-8, Seq1-2, RM5436 and RM5346) were significantly associated with rice yield traits so that they could be used in marker assisted selection. The SNPs/INDELs of Ghd7 were significantly associated with all the yield traits except 100 seed weight and 100 endosperm weight. Thus the present study demonstrate the possibility of employing marker assisted breeding to improve rice yield using the polymorphic genomic information at Ghd7 locus.Keywords: DNA markers for rice, Rice marker haplotypes, Pleiotropic genes in rice, Rice breeding in Sri Lanka, SNP and INDEL in rice breeding.
In the recent past, several attempts to incorporate computer based solutions and electronic communication into the flow of data and analysis of information in the government healthcare sector in Sri Lanka could not be sustained or successfully replicated. This is true for the Provincial Department of Health Services of the North Western Province as well.Therefore the need for strategically planned background work was identified as a priority before developing on complex individual information systems within the healthcare sector of the North Western Province. The provincial department successfully implemented a medium term strategic plan empowering the department towards incorporating electronic communication and computerised solutions appropriately and optimally while ensuring safety and privacy of the care recipients.
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Brown Planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål, imposes a significant threat to the rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, generating 5-10% of annual yield losses. Rice farmers mainly adopt chemical methods to control the BPH attacks. The intensive use of insecticides is a crucial trigger for the development of resistance and hence continuous BPH outbreaks. Thus, the chemical methods of control do not provide a permanent solution to the BPH. The most recommended strategy of resolving the BPH crisis in rice is the development of resistant cultivars. Most of the Sri Lankan rice germplasm has already been screened for BPH resistance; however, reliable molecular breeding strategies must be implemented to acieve this target.Development of BPH resistant cultivars relies on utilizing appropriate genomic selection protocols in breeding schemes such as marker-assisted backcrossing.Therefore, a literature survey was carried out to evaluate BPH control methods and to emphasize the employment of backcross breeding with the genomic selection approach as a precise tool to develop BPH resistant rice varieties. The genetic basis of BPH resistance has been unravelled for many rice cultivars however, further screening is required to identify locally available resistant sources. The polymorphic markers for the foreground and background selection must be developed for the introgression of the BPH resistant genes and recovery of the recurrent parent genome. The validation of the markers developed in the international breeding and genetics programmes for the local germplasm is also an essential step prior to the genomic selection of BPH resistant rice varieties.
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