Physiological and biochemical assortment in different wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) under rain fed conditions

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most extensively cultivated cereal crop in the world; however, its growth and development are affected by different types of biotic and abiotic stress conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the physico-chemical diversity in different wheat genotypes under rain-fed conditions. Principle component analysis (PCA) showed that significant variation for different components contributed 77.87% of total variability among all genotypes. In the scree plot, the first two PCs (PC1=44.75%, PC2=14.28%) had significant differences for numerous agronomic traits. The scatter biplot depicted eight genotypes (Zardana, NR-462, D-97, BARS-2009 (a check), NR-481, Tarnab-73, NR-489 and Pirsabak-91) with high diversity (variation ~90%) for different morphological traits, identifiable as they were located further away from the origin than other genotypes. Factor analysis of loading factors among wheat genotypes across different morpho-physiological traits also showed significant diversity for positive and negative loads. In cluster analysis, genotypes such as BWP-97, BARS-2009, NR-489, NR-448 and Pak. 13 were outliers, indicating significant diversity among all genotypes for different agronomic traits. Biochemical analysis showed maximum values for antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content in lines NR-485 (93.76%), NR-489 (3.55mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g), and the variety Suleman-96 (3.45mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g), respectively. This study provides new insights for understanding the diversity of different wheat genotypes under rain-fed conditions, and the selected genotypes can be evaluated for further breeding programs.

Evaluation of Malus Germplasm Identifies Genetic Sources of Powdery Mildew and Frogeye Leaf Spot Resistance for Apple Breeding

Apple is an important fruit crop of temperate regions. The narrow genetic base of commercially cultivated apples has resulted in its vulnerability to a large number of fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens. Apple breeders are always seeking new sources of resistance within the cross-compatible Malus species that can be deployed into elite genetic backgrounds. We have evaluated resistance to two major fungal diseases of apples: powdery mildew and frogeye leaf spot, using a germplasm collection of 174 Malus accessions to identify novel sources of genetic resistance. In 2020 and 2021, we evaluated these accessions for the incidence and severity of powdery mildew and frogeye leaf spot diseases at Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, New York, in a partially managed orchard. The severity and incidence of powdery mildew and frogeye leaf spot, as well as weather parameters were recorded in June, July, and August. Total incidence of powdery mildew and frogeye leaf spot infections increased from 33 to 38%, and 56 to 97% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Our analysis showed that relative humidity and precipitation correlate with powdery mildew and frogeye leaf spot susceptibility. The predictor variables with highest impact to the variability of powdery mildew were accessions and relative humidity in May. A total of 65 Malus accessions were found to be resistant to powdery mildew, and only one accession showed moderate resistance to frogeye leaf spot. Several of these accessions belong to Malus hybrid species and domesticated apples and can therefore be potential sources of novel resistance alleles for apple breeding.

Antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect of some commonly used medicinal plants against lipid per-oxidation in mice brain

BACKGROUND

The present study compares the protective properties of aqueous extracts of six medicinal plants, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula (black and yellow), Terminalia arjuna, Balsamodendron Mukul and Alium sativum against lipid per-oxidation in mice brain.

METHODS

The antioxidant activities were analyzed by lipid per-oxidation assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, total antioxidant activity and metal chelation.

RESULTS

The extracts (fruits and bark) showed inhibition against thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) induced by pro-oxidant (10 µM FeSO4) in mice brain. Moreover, the free radical scavenging activities of the extracts was evaluated by the scavenging of DPPH radical (IC₅₀, 23.23 ± 1.2 µg/ml (Phyllanthus emblica), 20.24 ± 0.9 µg/ml (Terminalia chebula yellow) and 17.33 ± 1.1 µg/ml (Terminalia chebula black), 19.44 ± 0.45 µg/ml (Terminalia arjuna), 56.59 ± 2.1 µg/ml (Balsamodendron Mukul) and < 200 µg/ml (Alium sativum).

CONCLUSION

The higher antioxidant and inhibitory effect of Terminalia chebula black in this study could be attributed to its significantly higher phenolic content, Fe(II) chelating ability, reducing ability and free radical scavenging activity. Therefore oxidative stress in brain could be potentially prevented by the intake of these plants.