Molecular genetic divergence analysis amongst high curcumin lines of Golden Crop (Curcuma longa L.) using SSR marker and use in trait-specific breeding

Assessing population structure and morpho-molecular characterization of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for elite germplasm identification

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), known for its adaptability and high yield potential, is vital in global edible oil production. Estimating genetic diversity is a key pre-breeding activity in crop breeding. The current study comprised of 48 genotypes which were assessed for their biometrical traits at department of Oilseeds, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, during the rainy season of 2022. The lines were subsequently characterised using 103 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for molecular diversity analysis. The results indicated that the net nucleotide distances indicated varying genetic divergence, with subpopulations II and V showing the highest (0.056) and I and IV the lowest (0.014). Subpopulation IV exhibited the highest heterozygosity (0.352), while subpopulation III had the lowest heterozygosity and a low Fst (0.173). Principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis were employed for assessing the morphological diversity, facilitating genotype grouping and parent selection for breeding programs. The first four components cumulatively accounted for 86.72% of the total variation. Cluster Analysis grouped 48 sunflower genotypes into three clusters based on genetic diversity. COSF 13B stands out for its high head diameter, oil content, seed yield, and oil yield based on mean performance of morphological data. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) mirrored the groupings from the Neighbor Joining method, with the first three components explaining 27.24% of the total variation. Molecular data analysis identified five distinct clusters among the germplasm. By integrating morphological and molecular marker data with genetic distance analysis, substantial diversity was revealed with the genotypes RHA 273 and GMU 325 consistently demonstrated high oil yield per plant. The genotypes GMU 477, GMU 450, COSF 13B, RHA 102, CMS 1103B, and RHA GPR 58 have been identified as suitable parents for enhancing oil content in sunflower breeding programs. These findings also aid in selecting SSR markers for genotype characterization and in choosing diverse parents for breeding programs.

Curcuminoid Contents in Rhizomes of Some Zingiberaceous Plants Sold via Online Platforms: Influence of Species and Cultivation Location

Zingiberaceous plants are versatile and find application in various fields, including food, medicine, and cosmetics. Recently, turmeric and other Zingiberaceous plants have become readily available through online platforms. However, the quality, specifically the curcuminoid content, has not been adequately assessed. In light of this issue, this study is aimed at analyzing the curcuminoid contents, including bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin, using high-performance liquid chromatography. The analysis targets the rhizomes of Zingiber montanum (ZM), Curcuma aromatica (CA), Curcuma wanenlueanga (CW), Curcuma zedoaria (CZ), and sixteen Curcuma longa (CL) samples sold on online platforms. The influence of species and cultivation locations was evaluated, compared, and clustered. The results indicated that CL exhibited the highest curcuminoid contents, followed by CA, CZ, ZM, and CW, respectively. Curcumin was not detected in CW, while bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin were absent in ZM. Cluster analysis revealed that CW was closely related to ZM, and CA was closely related to CZ, while CL was not closely related to either cluster. Among the sixteen CL samples, the most commonly found curcuminoids were curcumin, followed by bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin, respectively. Three samples contained curcuminoid contents of less than 5%, failing to meet the standard level specified in the Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Furthermore, ten samples had total curcuminoid contents higher than 10%, with three samples exceeding 15%. The top three samples with the highest total curcuminoid contents from different locations were as follows: Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi Province (17.02%); Phop Phra District, Tak Province (16.97%); and Pak Tho District, Ratchaburi Province (15.45%). Cluster analysis revealed that CL samples could be grouped into two major categories: low curcuminoid and high curcuminoid groups. This study offers valuable insights for consumers seeking high-quality rhizomes of Zingiberaceous plants with high curcuminoids, through online platforms. By focusing on the curcuminoid content, consumers can make informed decisions when purchasing Zingiberaceous plants online. This information not only aids in selecting superior quality rhizomes but also enhances the overall consumer experience by ensuring the potency and efficacy of the purchased products.

Conservation Strategies for Aquilaria sinensis: Insights from DNA Barcoding and ISSR Markers

The evergreen tree species Aquilaria sinensis holds significant economic importance due to its specific medicinal values and increasing market demand. However, the unrestricted illegal exploitation of its wild population poses a threat to its survival. This study aims to contribute to the conservation efforts of A. sinensis by constructing a library database of DNA barcodes, including two chloroplast genes (psbA-trnH and matK) and two nuclear genes (ITS and ITS2). Additionally, the genetic diversity and structure were estimated using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. Four barcodes of 57 collections gained 194 sequences, and 1371 polymorphic bands (98.63%) were observed using DNA ISSR fingerprinting. The Nei's gene diversity (H) of A. sinensis at the species level is 0.2132, while the Shannon information index (I) is 0.3128. The analysis of molecular variance revealed a large significant proportion of total genetic variations and differentiation among populations (Gst = 0.4219), despite a relatively gene flow (Nm = 0.6853) among populations, which were divided into two groups by cluster analysis. There was a close genetic relationship among populations with distances of 0.0845 to 0.5555. This study provides evidence of the efficacy and dependability of establishing a DNA barcode database and using ISSR markers to assess the extent of genetic diversity A. sinensis. Preserving the genetic resources through the conservation of existing populations offers a valuable proposition. The effective utilization of these resources will be further deliberated in subsequent breeding endeavors, with the potential to breed agarwood commercial lines.