African Journal of Agriculture

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilization of Algal Waste: A Study on Biological Fermentation Techniques

Ennouali, M.*, Ouhssine, M.*, Ouhssine, K.* and Elyachioui, M*

*Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of the Sciences, University Ibn Tofail, City of Kénitra, Morocco.

Accepted 22 June, 2024

Abstract

The garbage of red algae, Gelidium sesquipedale, from a factory after extraction of agar-agar, is indiscriminately discharged into the public environment. Microbiological analyses confirmed that this garbage contains different groups of bacteria whose number is variable: the total aerobic mesophilic flora, 4 x 106 cfu/g; total coliforms, 6 x 105 cfu/g; fecal streptococci, 2 x 102 cfu/g; staphylococci, 180 cfu/g; lactic bacteria, 7 x 103 cfu/g and yeasts 2 x 105 cfu/g. Analyses showed that clostridiums, salmonellas and faecal coliforms are absent. To treat this garbage of algae, we employed a biological fermentation process using lactic acid bacteria (BL11) and yeast (THE 16). These were isolated and selected for their acidifying and fermentation qualities, respectively. The fermentation resulted in a decrease of pH from 7.4 to 3.75 and a reduction of the different pathogenic groups of bacteria; total coliforms, streptococci and staphylococci. On the other hand, the number of the lactic bacteria increased. Physical and chemical analyses showed that this garbage of algae is rich in mineral elements, proteins, sugars and a small amount fat. This fermentation product can be used as fertilizer and/or integrated in animal feed.

Key words: Gelidium sesquipedale, Agar, fermentation, ferment, ingredient, food.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluating Ploidy and Genetic Variability in MUSA Species at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

M. Pillay¹*, E. Ogundiwin¹, A. Tenkouano¹, and J. Dolezel²

¹International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, P. O. Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda ²Institute of Experimental Botany, Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics and Cytometry, CZ-77200 Olomouc, Czech Republic.

Accepted 30 March, 2024

Abstract

MUSA spp (bananas and plantains) constitute a hybrid-polyploid complex and are classified according to different genome compositions such as AA, BB, AB, AAA, AAB, ABB, AAAA, ABBB, AAAB and AABB. Knowledge of ploidy and exact genome compositions of the parental material is essential for MUSA breeding. This study determined the ploidy levels and genome composition of the MUSA germplasm collection, constituting over 300 accessions, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Nigeria and Uganda. Flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content was used to estimate ploidy levels, while genome composition was ascertained with RAPD markers that are specific for the A and B genomes of MUSA. It was determined that at least 8% of the plants in the germplasm collection were miss-classified in terms of ploidy and/or genome composition. The cultivars 'Pisang awak', 'Foulah 4' and 'Nzizi', previously classified as triploids, were found to be tetraploids by flow cytometry and conventional root tip chromosome counts. Similarly, cultivars that were previously classified as diploids including ‘Too’, and ‘Toowoolee’ were found to be triploids in our analysis. Ploidy and genome classification in MUSA was generally determined from morphological characteristics. While our study showed that such a system is not always reliable, it was interesting to find that none of the plantains in the germplasm collection were miss-classified with regards to both ploidy and genome composition.

Key words: Banana, plantain, genomes, ploidy.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Utilizing LTR-Retrotransposon Markers for Genetic Analysis in Egyptian Cottons G. barbadense L.

Elsayed E. Hafez¹, Abdel Ghany A. Abdel Ghany² and Essam A. Zaki¹*

¹Nucleic Acids Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, GEBRI, Research
Area, Borg El Arab, Post Code 21934, Alexandria.
²Institute of Efficient Productivity, Zagazig University, El Zagazig, Egypt.

Accepted 5 May, 2024

Abstract

Long terminal repeat (LTR)-retrotransposons are mobile genetic elements that are ubiquitous in plants and constitute a major portion of their nuclear genomes. LTR-retrotransposons possess unique properties that make them appropriate for investigating relationships between closely related species and populations. The aim of the current study was to employ Ty1- copia group retrotransposons as molecular markers in cultivated Egyptian cottons, G. barbadense L. Restriction site analysis of PCR-amplified Ty1-copia RT domain promoted the construction of a restriction map for each Egyptian cultivar. These maps display distinctive patterns of restriction site variation. Furthermore, these patterns are capable of differentiating even between cultivars that appear to have diverged only in the past 50 years. These results demonstrate that retrotransposon-based molecular markers are particularly valuable tools for plant molecular phylogenetic and population genetic studies.

Key words: DNA fingerprinting, Gossypium, repetitive DNA, restriction site polymorphisms, sequence diversity, Ty1-copia group retrotransposons.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Refining DNA Isolation Methods for ISSR Research in Tectona grandis L.f.: Implications for Forest Genetics

C. Narayanan*, Swapnil Dubey, Syed Arif Wali, Nidhi Shukla, Randhir Kumar, A.K. Mandal and S.A. Ansari

Genetics and Plant Propagation Division, Tropical Forest Research Institute, P.O.-R.F.R.C., Mandla Road, Jabalpur – 482 021, India.

Accepted 5 May, 2024

Abstract

Four extraction methods and sample types were evaluated for yield, quality and suitability of genomic DNA for ISSR marker amplification in teak (Tectona grandis). Both CTAB and SDS based extraction procedures extracted better quantity and purity index of genomic DNA. Leaves of trees, bud grafts and seedlings yielded better DNA than seeds. Using identical PCR conditions, DNA extraction methods and sample types influenced amplifications of ISSR markers, with no amplifications among seed samples. DNA extraction method and sample type are very important consideration for reproducible ISSR-based molecular marker analysis in teak.

Key words: DNA extraction, ISSR, CTAB, SDS, teak.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing Genetic Variation in Vigna radiata Landraces Through RAPD Analysis

Karuppanapandian T¹*, Karuppudurai T², Pritam Bala Sinha¹, Kamarul Haniya A³, Manoharan K¹

¹Department of Plant Sciences/ ²Department of Animal Behaviour and Physiology, Centre of Potential in Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021, India. ³Department of Biotechnology, Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College, Thiruvanaikoil, Tiruchirappalli 620 005, India.

Accepted 18 April, 2024

Abstract

Green gram [Vigna radiata (L.)] landraces were collected from various localities of Southern Tamil Nadu, India, to determine the extent of genetic diversity at DNA level by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using 20 decamer primers. All the primers produced polymorphic amplification products with some extent of variation. A total of 200 bands were generated with an average of 10 per primer and exhibited 83.0% polymorphism. Jaccard’s similarity coefficient ranged from 0.64 to 0.93 and concentrated mostly between 0.76 to 0.93. This indicated a rather narrow genetic base of tested green gram landraces. Clustering of green gram landraces into two groups showed reasonable variability that may be exploited for selecting parents for breeding purposes. Generally distinct phenotypes identified using RAPD markers could be potential sources of germplasm for green gram improvement.

Key words: Genetic diversity, Jaccard’s similarity, RAPD marker, Vigna radiata.
 

African Journal of Agriculture ISSN 2375-1134 Vol. 11 (7), pp. 001-009, July, 2024. Available online at https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajaoas/table-of-contents © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring AFLP-Based Genetic Diversity in Uapaca kirkiana Muel. Årg. Populations

Weston F. Mwase^{1, 2}*, Å. Bjørnstad², B. Stedje³, J.M. Bokosi¹ and M.B. Kwapata¹

¹University of Malawi, Bunda College of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture Department, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe,
Malawi.
²Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Plant and Environmental Sciences Department, P.O. Box 5003, Ås, Norway.
³Natural History Museum Botanical Garden, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172 Blindern NO-0318 Oslo, Norway.

Accepted 18 May, 2024

Abstract

Uapaca kirkiana is a priority fruit tree species for domestication in miombo woodlands of Southern Africa. Natural populations of U. kirkiana are declining through out the woodlands due to deforestation, forest fragmentation and wildfires. Knowledge of population structure and genetic diversity is prerequisite for development of conservation strategies. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) were used to assess the genetic diversity of eight populations from three geographical regions of Malawi. AFLP markers revealed moderate differentiation (GST =0.079) among the populations collected from the three regions, however, there were no significant genetic variations among the regional collections. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) found very high variation (92%) among individuals within populations and 6.8% among populations. The variations between populations indicate that populations can not be considered a single panmictic unit. Analyses of genetic similarity based on unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) suggested that the 8 populations fall into three clusters with 5 populations in one cluster, two in another and the lake shore population of Chesamu in its own cluster. Based on results presented it would be cost effective to sample a small number of populations represented by a large number of individuals for germplasm conservation purposes. In view of the wide distribution of U. kirkiana in the miombo woodlands in Southern Africa there is need for a more intensive genetic study to include populations growing in different countries to produce a wider picture of levels of distribution of genetic diversity of the species.

Key words: AFLP, conservation, dioecious, domestication, genetic diversity, miombo, Uapaca kirkiana, UPGMA.