Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology

The strength of any ongoing breeding programme thoroughly depends on the presence of genetic variation at both morphological and molecular level. In present study, total 36 pearl millet genotypes were evaluated for different morphological characters along with grain Fe and Zn contents. High estimates of coefficient of variation inclusive of high heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean was marked for dry fodder yield per plant, grain yield per plant, Fe and Zn contents. This suggested that the selection based on these traits will be effective in improving breeding material. Further correlation analysis showed a highly significant correlation between grain Fe and Zn content which signifies simultaneous improvement in the two traits. Grain yield per plant showed non significant negative correlation with Fe and Zn thus suggesting improvement in nutrient value without sacrificing yield. A set of 64 SSRs was also used for molecular diversity assessment. A significant positive correlation was observed among number of alleles, Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) and number of repeats in the SSR motifs. Across the linkage groups, the mean PIC varied from 0.48 (LG 3) to 0.76 (LG 2). Mean alleles per locus and overall PIC obtained was 7.20 and 0.68 respectively. Presence of ample variation at morpho-genetic level signifies their use as parents in the out crossing programmes to obtain new improved hybrids with desired traits.

Transposable elements (jumping genes) are the DNA sequences that jumps (or move) from one genomic region to another. These are found in all living species and are genomically diverse due to their mobility. These are active and can relocate themselves to different locations of the genome. Here, a study has been carried out to identify transposable elements in Glycine max (soybean), Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean/green bean/French bean) using previously known elements. In present study homology method of transposable elements identification was used. The identified transposable elements have also been characterized using phylogenetic analysis. Different tools such as Uniprot, BLAST, MSA and PHYLIP were used for this study. A total 12 TEs were taken in G. max, C. cajan and P. vulgaris; these were selected from vicinity of Rpg1b on chromosome 13 of G. max. NCBI BLAST was done for all 12 TEs. Out of 12 TEs 6 were copia, 5 are gypsy and 1 LINE. It is found that copia and gypsy are closely related transposable elements. It is revealed that these TEs have high sequence similarity with the transposons from C. cajan and P. vulgaris indicating that these elements were present before the divergence of these three legumes.

The enrichment of medicinal plants biologically active compounds which induce various chemo-therapeutic effects become a good turn and philosophy in the science of pharmacology. In the light of the popular notion of the use of Combretum racemosum and Euphorbia hirta as potent ethnopharmaceutical botanicals, this study was done to determine the trypanocidal activity of the ethanolic leaf extracts of the plants against Trypanosoma brucei brucei which was induced in Swiss albino mice both plants proved positive by overall reduction in mean parasitaemia level as the days progressed from time of intraperitoneal extract administration at concentrations of 50, 100, 200mg/kg body weight. Acute toxicity was also checked for by a 1000mg/kg body weight administration of the extracts, while diminazene aceturate, a standard trypanocidal drug was used as control. Combretum racemosum showed best trypanocidal activity at 200mg/kg, and Euphorbia hirta was best at 50mg/kg. Following administration of diminazene aceturate (control) the parasites were cleared within four days of administration. The results were confirmed with statistical analysis at 5% degree of freedom (p<0.05), thus hold credence to a possible utilization of Combretum racemosum and Euphorbia hirta as trypanocidal agents.

Elaeocarpus blascoi Weibel.  a relative species of Rudraksha, of Elaeocarpaceae is an endemic and endangered evergreen forest tree from Palni hills, Southern Western Ghats. In vitro regeneration protocol from nodal segments of E. blascoi for clonal propagation
was developed by employing different tissue culture media. Woody plant medium (WPM) was found to be suitable for E. blascoi shoot multiplication and regenerations. Phenolic secretion makes the explants recalcitrant and was overcome by supplement of 0.3% charcoal / 0.5% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Nodal segments were cultured in WPM medium supplemented with cytokinins including Thidiazuron (TDZ), 6 Benzylaminopurine (BAP), and Kinetin (KIN). Among the three plant growth regulators, TDZ induced multiple shoots. Shoot elongation was achieved by addition of 10 mg/l silver nitrate in the shoot elongation medium, and an average of 6 ± 0.47 shoots are produced per explants. The regenerated micro shoots were subsequently rooted in half-strength WPM
supplemented with 2 mg/l Indole -3 Butyric Acid (IBA). Thus the protocol developed is utilised for successful conservation of the
IUCN red listed species E. blascoi.

There is probably no other spice as evocative and fascinating as saffron. This is evident from its association with Greek gods, cultivation in hanging gardens of Babylonia, reference in Bible (Song of Solomon) for its essence and aroma, utilization for medicinal purposes by practitioners like Hippocrates and Pliny, and as cosmetics by women like Cleopatra. Even after centuries it remains tantalizingly exotic, awakening a gluttonous desire. Nothing more than the dried stamens of fragile blossoms the autumn-flowering purple Crocus flowers are still gathered by hand from the ancient fields of Iran, Greece, Italy, Kashmir and Spain. Most saffron is grown in a belt of land ranging from the Mediterranean in the west to Kashmir in the east. Annually, around 200 tonnes of saffron are produced worldwide, and Iran, Spain, India, Greece, Azerbaijan, Morocco and Italy are the major producers of saffron. Its cultivation has even spread beyond these conventional boundaries to unconventional areas in countries like China, Afghanistan, France, Switzerland, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Japan, Australia (Tasmania), New Zealand, Argentina, and USA. In contrast there are some countries where its cultivation has almost disappeared (Germany, Austria and England), especially due to increasing labour costs. In order to reverse this trend and to reduce the cost of labor component new technologies need to be developed, disseminated and adopted. The present expectation of saffron producers and consumers from plant biologists is to make effort for its safe and sustainable production, avoiding as much as possible the use of chemicals, and make it convenient to get supply of pure un-adulterated high quality saffron freely to the end-users. With the scope of breeding programs being limited, the implementation of biotechnological approaches can be helpful in attaining these goals. Besides, saffron can be adopted as a model crop for molecular and physiological studies of spices, like enhanced odour, taste, colour and aroma. The aim of this special issue in ‘Functional Plant Science and Biotechnology’ is to provide updated information about origin of saffron, scope of –omics approaches in saffron improvement, state of current understanding about aroma/colour development in saffron etc., through the inclusion of reviews and research papers wrote by leader groups in these areas. Based on the analysis of archaeological, historical, botanical, cytological, geographic, molecular and reproductive biology of saffron and allied species, Caiola and Canini have made an excellent attempt to establish its site and nature of origin. Though the period of its origin is still disputed, but it is widely accepted as to have originated in pre-Hellenic and Hellenic periods. Sharma and Piqueras discuss the application of tissue culture for micropropagation and secondary metabolite production, in order to meet the ever increasing demand of saffron. They argue that tissue culture techniques offer the capability to produce large quantities of propagating material in short duration of time, plus production of commercially important chemical constituents like, crocin, picrocrocin, crocetin and safranal under in vitro. However, the protocols available so far need further refinement for their commercial utilization. The research paper on a successful attempt by Quadri et al. to induce cormogenesis and maximize corm size under in vitro is a nice supplement. Fiore et al. discuss the role of –omics approaches as effective tools in saffron investigation and argue that until the entire genome of saffron is totally sequenced, or all the transcripts preferentially expressed during each stage of stigma development characterized, we are still far from an accurate elucidation on the genetic features of this important spice. Husaini and Ashraf stress on the integration of these –omics approaches to dissect the molecular basis of flavour and colour biogenesis, genomic organization and biology of gynoecium. Since such an approach would lead to generation of huge data sets whose interpretation become imperative, therefore, role of bioinformatics for ‘extracting’ such useful information has been discussed at length. Understanding the mechanism of flower development in saffron is central to saffron improvement. Tsaftaris et al. have highlighted the role of Crocus MADS box genes and discussed their expression patterns in leaves and the four flower organs: outer tepals, inner tepals, stamens and carpels. The expression analysis of these genes support the hypothesis that a modified ABCDE model in the flower of Crocus is responsible for the development of the different Crocus flower organs and the transformation of the sepals and petals into tepaloid organs, designated outer tepals and inner tepals, respectively. Understanding the pathways that contribute to aroma and colour formation is of prime importance for metabolic engineering of saffron. Even though the enzymes involved in the generation of the main saffron apocarotenoids remain at the moment elusive, Gómez-Gómez et al. provide a comprehensive picture of the molecular regulation of colour and flavour biosynthesis in C. sativus in their mini-review. Saffron purity is a major concern for the consumers/dealers; and picrocrocin, being exclusive to saffron only, acts as an excellent marker of saffron purity. Maggi et al. have reviewed the importance of accurate determination of picrocrocin and summarized the available methodologies, pointing out the gaps contained in the current ISO 3632 Standard, normally used in the international market. Hundreds of research papers have been published related to the biological properties of saffron. Premkumar and Ramesh have made an attempt to provide an overall gist of these properties, laying particular emphasis on anticancer, antimutagenic and antioxidant potential, while a research paper contributed by Neamati and Boskabady presents results on the effect of saffron, especially safranal on muscarinic receptors on tracheal chains in guinea pigs. Since most of the research published about antioxidant properties, cancer, tumor, neuronal injury and sedative effect, etc of saffron makes use of animal models; use of such animal models causes difficulty in understanding its exact role in human application. In the review by Licón et al. a novel attempt has been carried out to translate animal doses to human intake when saffron is included on the diet, in order to make an estimation of the potential healthy effects in humans. In contrast, Gómez-Gómez et al. provide an overview of the important spices responsible for allergic reactions, with special attention given to saffron. In an interesting article Botsoglou et al. discuss the scientific data on the biological properties of saffron, and investigate its possible use as a feed additive in poultry industry. The industry would certainly appreciate such replacement of synthetic antioxidants in place of natural ones, and thus satisfy consumer demands for production of eggs and meat without residues from substances having potential harmful affect on human health. Saffron plants are adversely affected by a multitude of pathogenic organisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses and nematodes. Plants use sophisticated defensive strategies to resist their invasion, using both preformed and inducible defence responses. These saffron pathogens and the defence responses have been discussed in the review of Ahrazem et al. emphasizing the role of soil conditions, drainage, temperature, and farming practices like planting date and application of fertilisers or herbicides. Finally, Husaini et al., while discussing various production practices followed by saffron growers of Kashmir highlights the current problems faced by saffron industry in India. The SI is concluded with Husaini et al. proposing some technological interventions like using breeding, in vitro cormlet and stigma production, and mechanization for sustainable saffron production. Further, policy interventions for revival of saffron industry in Kashmir are also suggested. It is my hope that the saffron scientists will find this Special Issue helpful in moving forward in their important quest of contributing in the interest of saffron producers and consumers. I would like to thank Dr. Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva and Kasumi Shima at Global Science Books Ltd., for their cooperation and helpful suggestions; and my family for their understanding and support during the prolonged and time-consuming work on this volume.

Biotechnology is an evolving research field that covers a broad range of topics. Here we aimed to evaluate the latest research literature, to identify prominent research themes, major contributors in terms of institutions, countries/re-gions, and journals. The Web of Science Core Collection online database was searched to retrieve biotechnology articles published since 2017. In total, 12,351 publications were identified and analyzed. Over 8500 institutions contributed to these biotechnology publications, with the top 5 most productive ones scattered over France, China, the United States of America, Spain, and Brazil. Over 140 countries/regions contributed to the biotechnology research literature, led by the United States of America, China, Germany, Brazil, and India. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineer-ing was the most productive journal in terms of number of publications. Metabolic engineering was among the most prevalent biotechnology study themes, and Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were frequently used in biotechnology investigations, including the biosynthesis of useful biomolecules, such as myo-inositol (vitamin B8), mono-terpenes, adipic acid, astaxanthin, and ethanol. Nanoparticles and nanotechnology were identified too as emerging biotechnology research themes of great significance. Biotechnology continues to evolve and will remain a major driver of societal innovation and development.

calmante, antiinflamatoare, analgezice, antibiotice, cicatrizante şi tonice. La seria de însuşiri care asigură succesul fructelor de căpşun s-a adăugat conţinutul ridicat în acid elagic (Maas şi Galletta, 1991; Maas şi colab., 1991), compus cu activitate antimutagenică şi anticarcinogenică recunoscută.