Phytochemical & Antioxidant Profiles of Local and HYV Rice in Bangladesh | InformativeBD

Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Tushar Chandra Sarker, Md. Mostafizur Rahman, and Mohammad Firoz Alam,  from the institute of Bangladesh. wrote a Research article about, Phytochemical & Antioxidant Profiles of Local and HYV Rice in Bangladesh. Entitled, Screening of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant properties in local and HYV of Bangladeshi Rice (Oryza sativa L.). This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Naturally occurring antioxidant supplements from plants are vital to counter the oxidative damage in cells where consumption of whole grain plays a vital role. As a dietary supplement, antioxidant activities of five local and HYV rice (Kalijira, Chinigura, Hizoldigha, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29) of Bangladesh were examined through DPPH antioxidant assay. Methanol extract of bran, polished and unpolished grain of each genotype were used as a studied sample. Studied sample showed significant antioxidant activity. Where bran is more potent part of rice showed higher antioxidant properties compeering unpolished and polished grain. Unpolished grain also showed greatest result where polished grain showed less performance. Among different genotypes Kalijira bran is black in color and showed better scavenging activity with the IC50 value of 60.12 μg/ml. Hizoldigha unpolished grain is red in color and showed higher antioxidant properties (130.2 μg/ml) compeering other unpolished grain. IC50 value of the positive control as BHT was 37.35 μg/ml. The result of present investigation denotes that the studied genotypes possess moderate antioxidant activity where Kalijira bran bear high antioxidant compound and keep demand to more processing and recently is using for extracting edible oil commonly called as rice bran oil. Unconventional Hizoldigha grain also contain high antioxidant activity and can be considered as nutraceutical foods as staple food.

Read more : Growth, Sex Ratio & Fruit Yield of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj Valley | InformativeBD 

Introduction

It is widely recognized that dietary ingredients have a dual role, one of them is nutritional and another is pharmaceuticals. So now it’s often called nutracuticals. In recent years, cereals and its ingredients are accepted as functional foods and nutraceuticals because of providing dietary fiber, proteins, energy, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants required for human health. Plant derived antioxidant such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids and phenolic compounds (polyphenols) (Choi et al., 2007), besides other bioactive compounds are reported to have antioxidants activity. Currently, synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate (PG) and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) are used under strict regulations because of their toxic effects on human enzyme systems (Hatate et al., 1990, Hattori et al., 1998). In contrast, natural antioxidants have attracted more and more interests because of their safety and wide distribution properties (Lewis, 1993).

The phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables are different from those in the grains, which contain tocotrienols and tocopherol, while rice is contain oryzanol (Lloyd et al., 2000). The phenolic like ferulic acid and diferulate are predominant in grains, but are not significant in some fruit and vegetables (Bunzel et al., 2001). Thus, the regular insertion of cereals and their processed products can make a payment to health endorsement and disease avoidance (Chaturvedi et al., 2011).

Rice, being one of the most produced and consumed cereals in the world (FAO, 1995), has an important role in the relation between the diet and health. Several compounds with antioxidant activity have been identified in rice, including phenolic compounds, tocopherols, tocotrienols and γ-oryzanol (Iqbal et al., 2005). Among them phenolic compounds is one of most important that are secondary metabolites of plants, with different activities such as protection against pathogens and predators, mechanical support, attraction of pollinating animals, and protection against ultraviolet radiation (Parr and Bolwell, 2000). Several phenolic compounds have already been identified in rice. The phenolic compounds are mainly associated with the pericarp in rice; hence, the milling process reduces the concentration of these compounds in the grain. Besides, grains with darker pericarp colour, such as red and black rice, contain higher amounts of polyphenols (Tian et al., 2004). The concentration of total phenolics in the grain has been positively associated with the antioxidant activity (Zhang et al., 2006).

Rice bran is an underutilized co-product from rice milling and generally used as animal feed, although it has long been considered an excellent source of vitamins and other nutrients. Bidlack (1999) has shown that rice bran may contain over 100 different antioxidants. Lloyd et al. (2000) also reported that, rice bran contains high amounts of beneficial antioxidants including tocopherols, tocotrienols, and oryzanols. It is also remarkable that, antioxidants containing level also depend on the type of rice (Gaydou et al., 1980). However if we see the rank of antioxidant rich food, than it will be clearer that the color fruits, vegetables, spices and nuts are more potent to show antioxidant activity than grain. But all of those are expansible and not edible as much as we need where rice is only foods that we take maximum amount per day and suitable for all classes of people. So if we could find out the high antioxidant compound containing rice genotypes and increase the amount of those phytochemicals in our daily diet rice, than it would be also beneficial like golden rice. Studied genotypes Kalijira and Chinigura are local aromatic varieties and small in size, Hizoldigha is low yielding local Amon varieties with red color pericarp and normally grown in deep water where BRRI dhan28 and BRRI dhan29 are modern transplanted high yielding varieties of Bangladesh.

The present investigation was designed to evaluate the phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of rice genotypes generally cultivated if Bangladesh and are important in different aspects. Here DPPH antioxidant assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of selected sample because scavenging of DPPH radical is the basis of the popular DPPH antioxidant assay (Kordali et al., 2005).

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Article source : Screening of phytochemical compounds and antixidant properties in local and HYV of Bangladeshi Rice (Oryza sativa L.) 

 

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Growth, Sex Ratio & Fruit Yield of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj Valley | InformativeBD

Syed Mukaram Shah, from the institute of Pakistan. Farrukh Hussain, from the institute of Pakistan and Musharaf Khan, from the institute of Pakistan. wrote a Research article about, Growth, Sex Ratio & Fruit Yield of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj Valley. Entitled, Growth behaviour, sex ratio and fruit output of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj valley, District Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Study was conducted to examine growth behaviour, sex ratio and seed output of Juniperus excelsa in various parts of Mastuj valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Pakistan. Average height, diameter and density of male, female and bisexual plants were determined. Seed output of female plants were found highest in Dodorghaz gol followed by Mastuj village and Ghuru gol. Number of fallen fruits were high in Dodorghaz gol followed by Mastuj village and Ghuru gol. Number of seedlings were high in Mastuj village followed by Ghuru gol and Dodorghaz gol. Soils were sandy loam and loamy sand with elements such as C, Ca, Mg, Si, Fe and K. These results strongly sustain genetically-determined sex ratios and a lack of major differences between males and females in growth behaviour and seed output which had been suggested by short-term studies elsewhere in the species’ range.

Read more : Nesting & Social Behavior of Wasps and Honey Bees in Mansehra | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Mastuj lies in between 36◦-3′ north latitude and 72◦-5′ east longitude towards the northeastern part of District Chitral bordering Northern areas and Afghanistan. The altitude of the area vary from 2200m-4000m. Climatically the area falls within dry temperate zone with mild summers and cold winters with snowfall. Topographically the area is bounded by mountains having scattered Juniperus forests. Ahmed et al (1990) sampled 60 monospecific stands of Juniperus excelsa at four locations in Balochistan and recorded density, basal area and height of individual. Soils were analysed for selected physical and chemical characteristics and the degree of disturbance due to logging and burning was also noted. Fisher and Gardner (1994) described the status and ecology of a Juniperus excelsa subsp. Polycarpos woodland in the northern mountains of Oman. Sarangzai (2000) described the population structure and natural regeneration potential of Juniperus excelsa in the northern Balochistan. Gauquelin et al (2002) studied the sex ratio and sexual dimorphism in Juniperus thurifera. Ali (2003) discussed issues and threats to Juniper forests in Chitral and provided recommendations for the conservation of these forests to avoid further degradation. Dar and Christensen (2003) recognized seven texa of Juniperus from the western Himalaya. Schulz et al (2003) studied cone morphology in Juniperus in the light of cone evolution in cupressaceae. Borghesio et al (2004) evaluated the conservation status of two Juniperus forests in south Ethiopia. Auken et al (2005) examined the emergence, mortality and growth of Juniperus ashei. Short term studies of J. virginiana in Ontario (Vasiliauskas and Aarssen, 1992) and in Alabama (Lawton and Cothran 2000) have shown a lack of major differences between males and females in growth rates, growth behaviour, sex ratio and seed output and suggested that the genetically-determined sex ratio was 1:1. However, it was not possible in those studies to determine the long-term survivorship of marked individuals and the effect that it may have had on the observed sex ratio, growth rates and growth behaviour. There have been frequent reports of inconstant sex expression in Juniperus species (Vasek 1966, Freeman et al. 1981, Lloyd and Bawa 1984, Jordano 1991), but there have been no long-term observations on the sex expression of juniperus excelsa individuals in natural populations. The objective of this research was to utilize long-term observations on associates of labeled individuals of juniperus excelsa to directly determine growth rates, growth behaviour, sex ratio and seed output of individual males, females and bisexual, constancy of sex expression, and resulting sex ratios.

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Article source : Growth behaviour, sexratio and fruit output of Juniperus excelsa in Mastuj valley, District Chitral,Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan 

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Nesting & Social Behavior of Wasps and Honey Bees in Mansehra | InformativeBD

Muzafar Shah,  Mian Sayed Khan,  Muhammad Ather Rafi,  Sardar Azhar Mehmood, and Muhammad Farooq,  from the institute of Pakistan. wrote a Research article about, Nesting & Social Behavior of Wasps and Honey Bees in Mansehra. Entitled, Nesting biology and Social behaviour of Paper wasp (Polistes flavus) and Honey bee (Apis mellifera) in District Mansehra, Pakistan. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

In the present study, nesting and social behaviour were carried out of Polistes flavus (Cresson) and Apis mellifera (Smith) from district Mansehra. Nest of paper wasps were found among bunches of leaves in the tree with 1-5 flat steps layers containing hundreds of hexagonal cells in one sided hanging to downward. Hive of the honey bee were pouched like containing double sided hexagonal cells one for eggs while in other stored food materials. X-ray diffraction was used for elemental analysis of P. flavus nests showed Ca with the highest amount of element while K with the lowest amount in descending order a: P. flavus: Ca>Al>Si; A. mellifera: Ca>Si>Mg. Social behaviour of A. mellifera showed strong defensive behaviours, pseudoattack, subsequent erratic flight, wing buzzing, mandibular pecking, abdominal pumping and abdominal twisting while P. flavus showed week defensive behaviour as compared to A. mellifera. Parental care was highly developed in A. mellifera. By disturbing, they try to protect their larvae in their nest by high defensive behaviour.

 Read more : Acrotylini Grasshoppers of Pakistan: A Taxonomic Study | InformativeBD 

Introduction

The name wasp applied to many winged insects of the order Hymenoptera, which also includes ants and bees (Bertram et al., 2003). Most of the wasps are carnivorous, feeding on insects, grubs, or spiders. They have biting mouthparts, and have stings through which they paralyze their prey for eating. The sting can be used repeatedly. The thorax of a wasp is attached to the abdomen by a narrow stalk. Some wasps are solid black or dark blue, but most have red, orange, or yellow wings or markings while Stripes are common. The great majority of the waps are solitary, but one family (Vespidae) includes both social forms (paper wasps, hornets and yellow jackets) and solitary forms, e.g., the potter wasps (Bertram et al., 2003).

In social wasp colonies there are usually three castes, the egg-laying queens (one or more per colony), the workers, or sexually undeveloped females and the drones or males. Social wasps build nests of a coarse, papery material, prepared by masticating wood fiber. The eggs are deposited in the compartments or cells of the nest where they develop into larvae and then pupae, emerging as adults. Adult social wasps feed chiefly on nectar and plant sap but feed the larvae with masticated animal food. In temperate regions a colony lasts a single season, the drones and workers dying in the fall. The mated queens take shelter during the winter and in spring lay eggs and start new colonies. In the tropics colonies continue indefinitely, dividing when they grow very large (Oldroyd, 2004).

Nests are typically built in hollow trees, but they are often found in barns, sheds, attics, and hollow areas of house walls. They rarely build the nests that are free hanging or in unprotected areas, such as tree and houses. They use decaying wood fiber to build a shell around their nest as protection. As winter approaches, the worker bees die off and the queen will leave the existing nest and find an empty log or other sheltered spot to spend the winter. They also use the bark fiber of trees to build their nests. They have smooth stingers, so they can sting over and over again. Their stings also carry venom that makes the stings hurt, itch or swell for about 24 hours. A European hornet sting has the same risk of allergic reactions from as with other wasp stings (Jones et al., 2004).

The paper wasp, Polistes flavus is the most common type of wasp which is cosmopolitan throughout the world and mostly built their nest in human houses and trees. It is also the single largest genus within the family Vespidae, with over 300 recognized species and subspecies. Their innate preferences for nestbuilding sites leads them to commonly build nests on human habitation, where they can be very unwelcome; although generally non-aggressive, they can be provoked into defending their nests (Espelie et al., 1996). All species are predatory and they may consume large numbers of caterpillars, in which respect they are generally considered beneficial. Polistes wasps can be identified by their characteristic flight, their long legs and dangle below their body (Turillazzi et al., 1992). Polistes wasp complete their life cycle in four stages, pre-emergence phase, worker phase, reproductive phase and intermediate phase (Figure 2b; Karsai et al., 1995).

The honey bee, Apis mellifera queens are polyandrous. When they are about five days old they mate with a large number (625) of males (Estoup et al., 1994; Palmer et al., 2000) of diverse genetic backgrounds (Baudry et al., 1998). Honey bee colonies, therefore, comprise multiple patrilines of workers, each sired by a different male (Crozier et al., 1996). Because the males are haploid, their daughters share 75 % of their alleles by descent. Conversely, workers that are daughters of different males share only 25 % of their alleles; those derived from their common queen mother. Task specialization has now been demonstrated for an extraordinary array of honey bee behaviour including nectar and pollen foraging (Calderone et al., 1988), caring for brood and removing dead larvae (Page et al., 1989b), grooming nest mates (Frumhoff et al., 1988), removing corpses and guarding the nest entrance (Robinson et al., 1988), collecting water (Kryger et al., 2000), and thermoregulating the nest (Jones et al., 2004; Oldroyd et al., 1994). It has long been speculated that task specialization provides colony level benefits, and that genetically mediated diversity in task response thresholds is important to the task allocation system in honey bees and by inference, other polyandrous haplodiploid social insects (Bertram et al., 2003; Calderone et al., 1989; Crozier et al., 1985; Fuchs et al., 1994; Myerscough et al., 2004).

Honey bee colonies, are able to regulate the internal temperature of their nests with great precision (Jones et al., 2004; Moritz et al., 1992; Southwick, 1991; Heldmaier et al., 1987). The workers regulate brood nest temperature depends on whether heating or cooling is required (Seeley, 1985). Waxes are used for building brood and storage cells and cuticular waxes minimize the loss of water across the integument and protect from attack by microorganisms, parasitic insects, and predators (Buckner, 1993). The queen substance is reportedly transmitted within the hive attached to the body surfaces of worker bees as a result of grooming behaviour (Seeley, 1979; Naumann, 1991). Drones deposit a long lasting inhibitory pheromone on the combs to decrease the drone brood production where it is perceived by the workers and the queen (Omholt, 1988). Tautz (1997) suggests that the dance sites of the bees on the wax comb may be chemically marked in some way because dancers keep to the same site during a foraging day. Objectives of the present paper include, to study the nesting and social behaviour between P. flavus and A. mellifera with parental care of their offspring.

Reference

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Article source : Nesting biology and Social behaviour of Paper wasp (Polistes flavus) and Honey bee (Apis mellifera) in District Mansehra, Pakistan 

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Acrotylini Grasshoppers of Pakistan: A Taxonomic Study | InformativeBD

Barkat Ali Bughio, Riffat Sultana, M. Saeed Wagan, Farman Ullah, and Muhammad Ather Rafi, from the institute of Pakistan. wrote a Research article about, Acrotylini Grasshoppers of Pakistan: A Taxonomic Study. Entitled, Studies on the tribe Acrotylini (Acrididae: Orthoptera) from Pakistan. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The tribe Acrotylini are considered as pest of cereal crops, vegetables, orchards and pastures in Pakistan. During present study 5 species and subspecies of the tribe Acrotylini i-e Acrotylus humbertianus (Saussure), A. insubricus insubricus (Scopoli) A. patruelis (Herrich-Schaffer) A. longipes longipes (Charpentier) and A. longipes subfasciatus were examined. In this manuscript general morphological characteristic along with detail study of phallic complex of each species has carried out. Overall finding showed that there is significant difference in the epiphallus, ancorae, lophi and spermatheca of these siblings’ species of Acrotylini.

Read more : Allelopathic Impact of Redroot Pigweed on Summer Savory | InformativeBD

Introduction

Grasshopper insects’ fauna belonging to sub family Oedipodinae are of great economic importance in Pakistan. The representatives of tribe Acrotylini are considered as pest, because they pose a constant threat to cereal crops, vegetables, orchards, Pastures and rain-feed areas. These grasshoppers are commonly known as band-winged insects and are characterized by different colors. They are widely distributed throughout the world. The grasshoppers of the tribe Acrotylini are entirely vegetarian and voracious feeders . They cause sever damage to various valued crops i.e. rice, wheat, sugarcane and their surrounding grasses. Majority of them (both adults and nymphs) are active during sun shine and cause heavy damage in cultivated crops. Their population mostly increases during the hottest days of the years. The grasshoppers of tribe Acrotylini are entirely vegetarian and voracious feeders, majority of them are active during sun shine can cause heavy damage in cultivated crops when their population may be increased at high densities. Mostly they are known as geophiles (living in open grounds) and Phytophyles (found at vegetation, grasses, herbs and shrubs). Earlier, genus Acrotylus was studied by (Kirby, 1914, Mischehnko 1936, Bei-Bienko and Mischehnko 1951, Uvarov 1966, Dirsh, 1975) and from Pakistan (Ahmed, 1980, Ritchie, 1981-82, Wagan 1990, Baloch, 1997, and Tokhai 1996). Further, on the basis of different features. Moeed (1966) reported the damaging status of A. insubricus insubricus at agricultural fields of Larkana district. (Ahmed, 1980) surveyed the grasshoppers fauna of Pakistan and reported that some of the Oedipodinae grasshoppers are the pest of orchards. (Wagan and Solangi , 1990) reported heavy damage of some Oedipodinae species on cultivated crops in different areas of Sindh Province. In order to bring the knowledge of Acrotylus of the Pakistan update the present studies highlight the diagnostic characters of phallic complex and epiphallus that have useful value for the purpose of accurate identification. An attempt has been made to classify species belonging to sub-family Oedipodinae on the basis of easily recognizable characters of external morphology and genitalia components. The study of these two parameters would led to the correct identification of this tribe, which will be very useful to control the pest at appropriate time.

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Article source : Studies on the tribe Acrotylini (Acrididae: Orthoptera) from Pakistan 

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Allelopathic Impact of Redroot Pigweed on Summer Savory | InformativeBD

Ebrahim Benyas, Mohsen Aghaz, Ozra Sadat Khatamian Oskooei, Saied Zehtab Salmasi and Yaghub Raii, from the institute of Iran. wrote a Research article about, Allelopathic Impact of Redroot Pigweed on Summer Savory. Entitled, Allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of different organs of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retrofelexus L.) on summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.). This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

In order to demonstrate the allelopathic effects of different organs (root, shoot and whole plant) of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retrofelexus L.) on germination, emergence, growth and development of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) under laboratory and greenhouse conditionan experiment was carried out as CRD design with nine and five replications at laboratory and greenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Iran, respectively. Results showed the significant effects of different organs aqueous extracts (AEs) of redroot pigweed on germination percentage, germination rate and normal seedlings percentage. Germination rate decreased by shoot, root and whole plant AEs compare with control. Shoot and whole plant AEs of redroot pigweed were able to reduce summer savory biomass more than the root aqueous extract.

Read more : Morphological & Genetic Adaptation in Amaranthus spinosus | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Weeds are the most severe and widespread biological constraint to crop production and cause invisible damage till the crop is harvested. Weeds are undesirable plants which compete with main crops in the growth media for nutrients, moisture, space, light and hamper the healthy growth ultimately reducing the growth and yield both qualitatively and quantitatively. Allelopathy is defined as inhibitory/stimulatory the effect(s) of one plant on other plants through the release of chemical compounds in the environment (Rice, 1984). Allelopathy interactions are primarily based on the ability of certain species to produce secondary chemical compounds that exert some sort of biological effects on other organisms, many of which are unknown. The chemical causing the allelophatic effects are called allelochemicals. Allelopathy is characterized by a reduction in plant emergence or growth, reducing their performance in the association (Florentine et al., 2006).

Allelopathy provides a relatively cheaper and environmental friendly weed control alternative. This can be considered as a possible alternative weed management strategies (Cheema et al., 2000). The world consumption of medicinal plants as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and as a food supplement for the improvement of human welfare is increasing day by day. One of the possible solutions is allelopathy, the utilization of the chemical interaction between plants by introducing modern biological and ecological methods. The various methods such as race, frequency control, chemical, mechanical and on chemical as properties of plants allelopathic weed control are applied in weed control management systems.

Allelochemicals emancipated as residues, exudates and leachates by many plants from leaves, stem, roots, fruit and seeds reported to interfere with growth of other plants (Asgharipour and Armin, 2010). These chemicals products mainly affect plants at seed emergence and seedling levels (Alam and Islam, 2002; Hussain et al., 2007; Naseem et al., 2009). The allelopathic potential of several weeds have been studied in the laboratory (Bhowmik and Doll, 1984). Batish et al., (2007) conducted experiment using residue of Chenopodium murale on the growth of chickpea and pea and found that their root and shoot length significantly decreased.

The present study was conducted to examine the allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of different organs of redroot pigweed (A. retrofelexus L.) on germination, emergence, growth and development of summer savory (S. hortensis L.) in the University of Tabriz.

Reference

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Asgharipour MR, Armin M. 2010. Inhibitory effects of Sorghum halepens root and leaf extracts on germination and early seedling growth of widely used medicinal plants. Advances in Environmental Biology 4, 316-324.

Batish DR, Lavanya K, Singh HP, Kohli RK. 2007. Root-mediated allelopathic interference of nettle-leaved  goosefoot  (Chenopodium  murale)  on wheat (Triticum aestivum). Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science 193, 37–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-037X.2006.00243.x

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Shahrokhi S, Darvishzadeh M, Mehrpooyan M, Farboodi M. 2012. Comparison of allelopathic effects of Amaranthus retroflexus L. different organs extracts on germination and initial growth of Alvand and Zarrin wheat cultivars. International journal of Agronomy and Plant Production 3, 489-494.

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Article source : Allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of different organs of redroot pigweed (Amaranthusretrofelexus L.) on summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) 

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Morphological & Genetic Adaptation in Amaranthus spinosus | InformativeBD

Arik Arubil Fatinah, from the institute of Indonesia. Estri Laras Arumingtyas, from the institute of Indonesia and Retno Mastuti, from the institute of Indonesia. wrote a Research article about, Morphological & Genetic Adaptation in Amaranthus spinosus. Entitled, Morphological and genetic variation of Amaranthus spinosus L.: an adaptation evidence of climate differences and gene interaction. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences | IJB. an open access scholarly research journal Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Amaranthus spinosus (spiny amaranth) natively live in America, Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia. This plant can be used as medicinal plant and also as food or feed. A. spinosus has phenotypic variation, especially in leave and stem type. It is because of plant adaptation. Plant adaptations impact to variation on morphological and genetic. Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) is a common molecular marker that used in the genetic variability analyses. Phenotypic variation was analyzed using morphological and molecular data. The trnL intron, matK and rbcL genes were amplified and sequenced. The sequence data analyses using MEGA5, Bioedit and DNAsp software’s. The molecular data shown that A. spinosus from tropical zone was higher genetic variability then temperate zone. Plant in the tropical zone easy to be colonized and there isn’t gene flow barrier. So that, A. spinosus that adapt to different habitat have different morphological character and have higher genetic variability. 

Read more : Listeria Detection in Crayfish: PCR-Based Study in Iran | InformativeBD

Introduction

Amaranthus is a core genus of Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), and consists of 70 species and natively life in America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe (Frassen et al, 2001). Amaranthus spinosus is one of seven spesies Amaranthus that natively life in Indonesia, especially in Java Island (Backer 1986). Member of these genera widely used as traditional medicinal plant, especially as antiviral, antimalarial, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antihelminthic and snake antidote (Kusumaningtyas et al, 2006; Vardhana, 2011; Kumar et al, 2010). Amaranth genera also can be used for food, feed, and as an ornamental plant (Backer, 1986; Prosea, 2012).

Amaranthus spinosus has different morphological characteristic. The morpho-logical characteristics were affected by plant adaptation and genetic variation among them (Schlichting and Pigliucci, 1998; Fatinah et al, 2012). Amaranthus spinosus can be adapted in the different ecogeographic and wide range of edaphic factor (environmental heterogeneity) (Costea et al, 2004). Amaranth genus has capability tointerbreed among species in the same genus. The interbreeding also causes different morphological charac-teristic of A. spinosus (Murray, 1940; Popa et al, 2010).

Chloroplast DNA is a molecular marker that widely used for taxon identification (Clegg and Zurawski, 1991). The cpDNA has an independent genome that encoded several proteins, which are protein related photosynthetic and housekeeping genes. The cpDNA encode 30-50 tRNA genes and 100 other protein. The gene that encode protein divided into several kinds, they are gene as splicing factors (rpoB, rpoC1, rpoC2, rpsl6 and matK) and protein related photosynthetic (rbcL, afpB, psaA and petB) (Baumgartner et al, 1993; Sugiura, 1995; De Las Rivas et al, 2002).

Genetic variation in A. spinosus was analyzed based on PCR-sequencing cpDNA, especially analyze gene that encode tRNA (trnL intron), splicing factor protein (matK) and protein related photosynthetic (rbcL). The trnL intron is a non-coding regions, this region has higher insertion and deletions (indels) which reflect the plant evolutionary (Roy and Penny, 2007). The matK gene encodes maturase protein as a splicing factor and include in intron group II. The matK gene has high nucleotide substitution rate, insertion and deletion. Mutation in matK gene reflects plesiomorphic characteristics and adaptive to environmental changing (Vogel et al, 1999; Hao et al, 2010). The rbcL gene encodes ribulose-1.5- biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (Ellis, 1979). The rbcL gene has 1428 bp in length and has conserve primer. The rbcL sequence can be used for cogeneric analysis (Kress et al, 2005). The rbcL gene is a core locus in chloroplast genome (plastome) multigenes (Newmaster et al, 2006). The rbcL gene is an adaptive gene to environment heterogeneity and widely used for plant evolutionary and plant adaptation mechanism (Golmez et al, 2005; Sen, 2011).

The previous study using trnL intron indicate that A. spinosus has high genetic variability. The genetic variability differs among molecular marker that used. So in this paper we used the third molecular marker to analyze A. spinosus genetic variation to know the relationship among phenotypic variation, genetic variation and plant adaptation in the tropical and temperate zone.

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Article source : Morphological and genetic variation of Amaranthus spinosus L.: an adaptation evidence of climate differences and gene interaction 

 

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