African Journal of Crop Science

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Comparative analysis of genetic and morphologic diversity among quinoa accessions (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) of the South of Chile and highland accessions

Leonardo Anabalón Rodríguez¹ and Max Thomet Isla^2*

¹Laboratorio de Mejoramiento Vegetal, Escuela de Agronomía. Universidad Católica de Temuco. Temuco. Chile.

²CET Sur. Temuco. Chile.

Accepted 03 October, 2017

Abstract

Quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a widely consumed food crop and a primary protein source for many of the indigenous inhabitants of the Andean region in South America. Identification of quinoa cultivars has been based on phenotypic characters. In the present work, the level of polymorphism and the genetic relationship were studied by means of molecular markers using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique and twenty morphological characters. Fourteen accessions of quinoa collected in the Araucania and Los Rios Regions, three Andean accessions, and one commercial cultivar were analyzed. Two wild parents were included as outgroup controls. A similarity tree-diagram was made, based on all the AFLP bands generated in the range between 70 and 300 base pairs. With these tools, it was possible to identify molecular differences and similarities that might be associated with important morphological traits such as grain color, panicle color, phenology and geographic distribution.

Key words: Chenopodium quinoa, cluster analysis, molecular markers.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phenotypic variation of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) on farms and in the gene bank in Cameroon

M. I. B. Efombagn¹*, O. Sounigo², S. Nyassé¹, M. Manzanares-Dauleux³, A. B. Eskes²

¹Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), P. O. Box 2067 or 2123, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

²CIRAD, UPR31, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.

³Agrocampus de Rennes, 65 Rue de St Brieuc, 35042, Rennes, France.

Accepted 06 September, 2018

Abstract

A survey was undertaken in the 2 major cocoa producing areas (Southern and Western) of Cameroon to study the morphological diversity existing in cacao farms in relation to genetic diversity in gene bank accessions. A total of 300 farm accessions (FA) were selected in the field which were compared to 77 gene bank accessions distributed into 4 groups (AGs) according to their origin. The 17 quantitative and qualitative descriptors used in this study were related to leaf (flush colour), flower (ligule colour), pod (weight, length, width, apex form, shape, rugosity, colour, husk hardness, basal constriction and pod index) and seed (number, length, width, dry weight and colour) characters. For the qualitative characters evaluated, considerable morphological variation was observed using the Shannon Weaver diversity index (SWDI) within FA and gene bank accessions. Among the FA, a differentiation between southern and western regions was only possible when using quantitative pod traits. Mean quantitative traits values of FA were not too different than those of most gene bank AGs, except for a few traits of agronomical interest (seed weight and pod index). No significant variation was observed for seed traits in all FA groups (southern/western). The morphological structure (quantitative traits) showed spatial differentiation between western and southern FA and a closer relationship between gene bank and some farm accessions. Furthermore, a molecular study done earlier using microsatellite profiles of the same FA did not show any genetic difference between FA of both regions, suggesting that the agro-morphological performance of FA is rather due to non-genetic factors. In contrast, microsatellites have shown that most of the gene bank accessions were genetically distant from the FA, suggesting the low intake of some breeders’ genotypes to farmers’ fields. The level of diversity found in farmers’ germplasm could enhance the gene bank and current breeding programs.

Key words: Theobroma cacao L., farm accessions, morphological diversity, breeding.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Morphological distinctiveness and metroglyph analysis of fifty accessions of West African okra (Abelmoschus caillei) (A. Chev.) Stevels

Sunday E. Aladele

National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), P. M. B. 5382, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 11 October, 2017

Abstract

The morphological uniqueness and metroglyph analysis of 50 accessions of West African okra (Abelmoschus caillei (A Chev.) Stevels) were assessed under three agro-ecological environments at Abeokuta, Ibadan and Mokwa in Nigeria. They were grown in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications; data were collected on 5 randomly selected plants from each plot. Data on twenty-one agronomic characters were collected; eleven traits were subjected to metroglyph analysis to investigate the extent of distinctiveness among the 50 accessions. The eleven agronomic characters representing the most commonly used in distinguishing between okra genotypes were used to construct a metroglyph chart. All accessions were grouped into seven distinct groups. The index scores ranged from 19.0 to 42.3 with groups I and VII showing the two extremes among the 50 accessions evaluated. The fruit surface of Akure-2-2 and Akure-1-1 were smooth while Akure-2-9 and Akure-2-4 showed slightly prickly fruits. This suggests that accessions from Akure town in Ondo state of Nigeria were domesticated to large extent and possibly are more related. The metroglyph showed that accessions with very poor yield had short plant height, an indication that for West African genotype okra to produce substantial yield, it must possess a strong stem, hence early planting is encouraged.

Key words: Abelmoschus caillei, accessions, genotype, index score, metroglyph.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-003, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Galinsoga ciliata (RAF.) S. F. Blake (Asteraceae): A new species for the flora of Macedonia

Agim Haziri¹*, Fadil Millaku², Ferat Rexhepi² and Elez Krasniqi²

¹State University of Tetova, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rr. Ilindenit, 1200 Tetovo, Macedonia.

²University of Pristina, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rr. Nëna Terezë, 10000 Pristina, Kosovo.

Accepted 18 December, 2017

Abstract

Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) S. F. Blake ( Asteraceae) is recorded for the first time for the flora of Macedonia. Genus Galinsoga Ruiz and Pavon in Macedonia is represented with the unique species Galinsoga parviflora Cav. During the research of this genus in Macedonia, another new species, G. ciliata (Raf.) S.F. Blake, was recognized which represents a new species for Macedonian flora. Examined specimens: Macedonia: Upper part of the Polog velley: 546 m, 41º 48' N, 20º 55' E, 14 September 2008, A. Haziri and F. Millaku.

Key words: Galinsoga, new record, Asteraceae, Macedonia.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 5 (12), pp. 001-003, December, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Decreased row spacing as an option for increasing maize (Zea mays L.) yield in Trans Nzoia district, Kenya

Owino Charles Onyango

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service. P.O Box 249, Kitale, Kenya. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 16 April, 2017

Abstract

Maize yield trend has been declining in recent past. Farmers in Trans Nzoia District rarely intercrop maize with other crops like beans. With good nutrition and favourable weather conditions, decreased maize row spacing can maximise maize production per unit land area by increasing plant population density, optimal light interception and nutrient uptake. The experiment was carried out during the long rain season (April - September) for two successive years starting 2006. There were significant treatment differences (at 5%) between row spacing, varieties and interaction between row spacing and varieties. The mean yield increased with decreasing row spacing. Decreased row spacing combined with improved maize varieties is a possibility of increasing maize yield in Trans Nzoia District.

Key words: Row spacing, maize varieties, yield, interaction.

African Journal of Crop Science ISSN 2375-1231 Vol. 5 (12), pp. 001-005, December, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Optimization and development of regeneration and transformation protocol in Indian mustard using lectin gene from chickpea [Cicer arietinum (L.)]

V.  V. Singh¹, Vandana Verma¹*, Aniruddh K. Pareek¹, Monika Mathur¹, Rajbir Yadav¹, Poonam Goyal¹, Ajay Kumar Thakur¹, Y. P. Singh¹, K. R. Koundal², K. C. Bansal², A. K. Mishra¹, Arvind Kumar¹ and Sandeep Kumar¹

¹Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur, Rajasthan 321 303, India.

²NRCPB, IARI, New Delhi, India.

Accepted 11 April, 2017

Abstract

A simple and easy protocol for regeneration and genetic transformation of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss cv. Pusa bold has been developed. The optimum regeneration was found on combination of BAP (3.0 mg/l) and IAA (0.2 mg/l). The genetic transformation protocol has been standardized using Agrobacterium tumefaciens (gv3101). Cotyledonary petioles used as explant were pre-cultured for 48 h and than co-cultivated with Agrobacterium suspension for 2 days. Putative transformants were selected from selection medium containing 20 mg/l Kanamycine and 250 mg/l cefotaxime. Complete plant formed after placing shoots on rooting medium (0.5 mg/l IBA). Confirmation of integration of transgene was done by PCR using nptII gene primer.

Key words: Indian mustard, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, chickpea lectin gene, cotyledonary petioles, transformation.